Plenty of bad shit has happened to me, yet I've managed to not only survive, but thrive; and as much as I love to joke about being smarter than everybody else, I'm not doing anything anybody else couldn't have done.  I've been there and done that. 

My parents weren't rich at all.  We barely got by.  When I got older, my parents threw me out of the house at 18 (I deserved it too), I lived paycheck to paycheck and slept wherever someone would let me , charged stuff I couldn't afford but needed, had medical issues that cost me ten of thousands of dollars when I didn't have it.  I had a car repo'd, declared bankruptcy, was part of a layoff...all before I was 22.  I've been as close to hell as I ever care to be.  I don't plan to ever go back.

I worked hard, learned from skilled people, and became very good at what I do now.  When I started making decent money, I didn't blow it all, I put some away.  I continue to put money away.  That doesn't mean that I don't enjoy life - I do.  I can buy a new guitar if I want (I just don't buy the most expensive one) or go on trips (I shop around for deals).  I am smart with my money.  I could have a bigger house, but I don't.  I could drive a nicer car, but I don't.  People near where I live drive very nice cars, have boats, and lots of other toys, but live in a dump.  It happens everywhere. 

People have misplaced priorities, and instead of doing something to better themselves, complain about how unfair life is.  Well, life is unfair.  Crying about it isn't going to change anything.  Waiting for someone to fix it for you isn't likely to help either.  I have no sympathy for people that refuse to do anything to put themselves in a better situation in life.  I don't have a college degree.  Instead of crying about my situation, I took advantage of every opportunity presented to me to put myself in a better situation, and when I got into a better situation, I started saving some of the money so I wouldn't have to be in that situation ever again.  If I can do it, anybody can do it.  Don't depend on a union, don't depend on the government.  Take responsibility for yourself and take as much control over your life as you can.  While you'll (probably) never be able to control everything, you can keep yourself from controlling nothing.