Curious what home ownership has to do with enjoying living in the now?

In the last few years our family anual income is over Obama’s standard for “rich”. But we rented condos which cost 1/5th of our monthly income. We were anxious about what if we couldn’t sustain our current income in the future? I feel miserable.

But I am feeling happy now with the house in the view.

This might not related to the topic:
in 2003. 42″ plasma TV costs $5000. I am not buying it, my regular TV still works fine for me.
in 2006. It costs $1600. I finally bought it and it improves my life quality significantly.
Now, it costs only $1000. But I don’t regret that I bought it 3 years ago. I enjoyed it for the last 3 years.