In his writings from Walden Pond Henry David Thoreau first used the phrase, "Most men lead lives of quiet desperation." Everyone is familiar with this saying, but it seems very few read beyond this phrase... or read his writings at all. From this phrase Throreau moves in to a discussion surrounding the question: What is necessary? The truth is, very little. When we examine what it is we really need we discover we need very little. If we then turn back to all we have, we discover that we live in the midst of abundance - even during these times of economic trial. This is a time to step back and recognize how little we actually need to thrive and survive, to be happy, and healthy, and holy. And, it is a time to be grateful for all that we have beyond what we actually need.