You know that life is working out for you when everything is flowing smoothly or going according to plan.  There's little or now stress and you need not think to much about so many things.  In short, you're fulfilled you've what you're looking for and want nothing more.  These days that happens to either the fortunate or the smart ones.  When comes to finally finding the real, the song "The Real Thing" by Bobby Caldwell comes to mind.

Unfortunately, not all of us are lucky.  Some of us either made the wrong choices or took the wrong course of action.  As a result, we wander this world taking what we can.  We're lucky if we can settle for anything we can.  Still, it leaves a hole inside us and even if we still keep up with the world it has now grown cold and lonely.

Not being able to find that what which is real and important to you is the saddest thing that can happen to a person.  It gets even worse when we're at the twilight of our lives because by then it's too late.  As for me, I'm still trying to find the real thing.  I'm getting but forcing it won't make it happen.  Hopefully one day if God permits, I'll find no matter how long it takes.