What does it mean to be rich?
We've all heard a saying: "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
This is incomplete. First you feed him, then you teach him how to fish. Hungry man can not hear us while we are philosophising about the hunting strategy.
Money. Only a few words that have so much omens - freedom, security, fight, shortage, abundance, poverty, giving, receiving, evil and similar. Money is none of the above.
Wisdom says: "To test a man's character, give him money."
Exactly right, unlike the nonsense that money corrupts people. Money only enlarges what you really are. If you are materialist, you become even greater one. If you are do-gooder, you also become greater one.
Money is nothing else but imposed rule of value of things, which it has not always been. In the past people knew true value of things. Now we know the price of things. It is not the same. In fact, it is entirely different.
If money was a measure of joy and happiness, there wouldn't be one deceased millionaire who put himself 2 meters underground. If luxury was a measure of success, today rich wouldn't have to buy wives, and wives wouldn't have to buy 20th bag to compensate for the missing love.
Jim Carry has recently said: "If only God made everyone rich and famous, so they realize it is not the point." Nobody believed him, except for the rich and famous. A large number of lottery winners have said: "I curse the day when I got it!" Nobody believed them, except the lottery winners.
We think the lottery would makes us happy. They thought the same.
What is truly beautiful can not be bought with money, and most beautiful things in the world are not things. Trust me, there is no end to that ego grindstone. You become a slave who thinks that he is free. We need roof over our heads, heat for the body and little food in our stomach. That is already an abundance. Our daily bread. That is enough for the soul. Everything else is category the ego, which will not make you happy. Ego wants you to make him happy. Ironical, isn't it? You are someone's slave again. Slave for yourself.
If you still think that money can buy everything, or at least how many claim, that it can ease up the barriers, I'll provide the last example I've heard recently. A millionaire is currently sitting next to bet of his daughter, who is dying. Doctors can't help because they still can't diagnose the problem.
Maybe you forgot how truly rich you are and what is abundance.
If you woke up healthy today, you are happier than 150 thousand people who will not be here tomorrow.
If you never felt the danger of the battle, agony of martyrdom, bites of the hunger, you are happier than 500 million residents of this planet.
If you can go to church without the fear of people threatening, torture or kill you, you are happier than 2 billion people of this world.
If there is food in your refrigerator, clothes on you, roof over your head and have a bed in which you will lay, you are richer than 75% of the world's population.
If you have a bank account, money in the wallet and some coins laying around, you are in the richest 8% of people in the world.
If you can read this message, you are blessed because you don't belong to 42 million of blind people in the world.
Also, consider yourself lucky because you are not one of two billion people who can't read.
And when I ask you how rich you are, what will you answer?
Thank you for reading.
Those are really depressing stats.
Yet here we are in the 8% whining and comparing to the 1% when so many others have it much, much worse and don't even know about it.
I know that we can't always look backwards to those who have less, but it can help us to be more thankful sometimes. Thank you for your reply.
I've made a lot of money and wasted a lot of money. In hindsight I've been the happiest and most content when I have given the most.
Giving while Living!
This man secretly gave away his entire $8 Billion fortune and he looks incredibly happy https://steemit.com/charity/@steemtruth/secret-billionaire-quietly-gives-his-entire-usd8-billion-fortune-away-in-34-years-true-story
Good post, following
Yes, he does look very happy. I am glad that you confirmed this theory.
Stay happy! Enjoy your afternoon.
Finally the article about me XD
I wanted to tag you but you found yourself already :)
I really liked how you used the comparison to statistical data. I have started and lost a few businesses and done the corporate thing for a while. The times that I had a lot of money, I don't remember enjoying that much. It was mostly running the rat race and corporate ladder, kind of a blur in my memory. After everything crashed down, that is when I started really enjoying my time, family, friends, and health. Today, I see my friends continually chasing after this "american dream". Always comparing themselves to each other and everything they do has to have a monetary gain either immediately or in the future. If not, it's not worth doing. I feel lucky to have broken out of that mindset. I guess everyone has to learn for themselves. In a way, I feel blessed that I had so many ups and downs and have been able to see both sides of the coin. Sorry for rambling. Your post got me thinking. Cheers.
Money is not necessary, but when you're healthy, educated, happy, respected, satisfied etc. and find your role in the society, it makes all the thinks easier ;-) Good aspects in your post!!
True, money is helpful. But when used as tool not as a goal.
Thank you for reading and I hope you find your role! :)
Very eye opening for me. I focuse too much on money or lack of it. I am truely blessed according to your content. Thanks. Up voted and your up voting my blog will be appreciated. Following.
We are all blessed! You can only play with your cards.
It doesn't help if you think they are not good. It's like poker.
Thank you for your feedback!
How true what you say in this publication, I agree 100% with you, congratulations. I deeply appreciate what you did for me, those amount of votes in my publication could only have come from a mu generous person as ud.estare eternally indebted to you. as I said earlier count on me to mind you might need thank you very much
nice article,
just some thoughts : being rich, is not how much money you have, but your ability to create value, network, then money.
For example a guy who win 1 million in a game, will never be richer than someone with 0 in his bank account but having the ability to create any value he wants...
Somehow, Being rich, is your ability to create value..
Amazing post
You put a really good perspective across
Peace and thanks
Upvoted + following
@eneismijmich Hallelujah to this!
Finally, someone who writes with much sense - damn what took you so long? hahaha.
I couldn't say more but I hit FOLLOW and resteem ( that's after clicking a 100% upvote)
why? - I resonate with you!
ULTRA - because I am complete, every organ and cell in my body is functioning right. I have enough money to buy me what I need and yes, even what I want - and no, I don't buy to fill the hole in my gutt to chase that word - HAPPINESS. I delight in everything I have because what I have is what I chose to have not pushed or forced or because that's all we could have. I feel rich as I have friends that think the same way as I do - that's pretty hard to find and so they are worth more than a treasure chest filled with diamonds which I wouldn't mind having either. I feel rich just being FREE for that word is priceless and no I don't have that ABSOLUTE FREEDOM but I AM FREE in many aspects in life. Most of all I am THANKFUL just for having a life and being loved by the people who understand me the most. And yes, I feel for those who feel down and suffering poverty but I came from a third world country too and walked that "financially poor " path but guess what - Manila and all the other main cities in the Philippines are called the cities of smiles because most of us are THANKFUL and taught to be ALWAYS THANKFUL FOR EVERY THING WE HAVE and to dream that we can make it bigger if we see it small.
Oh wow. It looks like you are ahead of me on this one.
It is great to see thankful people. Spread the truth and joy.
Thank you for resonating with me.
@eneismijmich - ahead.. maybe not - just blessed to be brought up this way and bumping into great positive people who influenced me to do so. I hope you go on spilling such positive thoughts.
Would love to keep reading . Thank you and have a great weekend!