Chapter 100 True Riches.
When I was a child, my buddies and I had great fun playing with bottle caps, rubber bands and tree seeds. Our delights were no less than those enjoyed by modern kids with costly and sophisticated toy-machines. Well-being is not measured merely by the amount of money involved, neither are our true riches. Ours is a world of paradox; we have billionaires among beggars, pleasure and pain, progress but pollution, development yet destruction. Wealth does not guarantee welfare, materialism has brought false promise of well-being. A new outlook seems to be emerging, towards more spirituality and less materialism.
Money provides only a part of happiness. Unless you have something more than just money, you are still incomplete; you only live more conveniently. Gene Perret pondered: "When you get right down to it, rich people are just poor people with money. Many questing for success are going for profits and perks, possessions and power. Life is more than that. Lets not miss out on many other things. George Lorimer reminded us, "Its good to have money and the things that money can buy, but its good, too, to check up…and make sure that you have not lost the thing that money cant buy. If you are self-centred in a narrow sphere of existence, and your fortunes are used for greedy and selfish ends, you end up having money without meaning, and prosperity with no purpose. If you want to receive, you should have much to give too. If you choose only to get, you wont be getting for long! Another sobering fact is that once a person is rich, additional wealth only provides marginal satisfaction. The second million are not as thrilling as the first. Continued pleasure wears off. As we grow older, wealthier and wiser, we progressively find that money is not the most important thing in the world. After all, how much can we eat in a day?
Some of the nicest things are free. There are many good but inexpensive things in life: Fresh air, morning breeze, wild flowers, bird songs, beaches, sunset, starlight and laughter. Sometimes, a flower smells as good as expensive perfume, and a ride on a bicycle is as enjoyable as one in a Rolls-Royce. Many have forgotten to relish those simpler and natural riches, to surrender totally to those magical minutes as they click away. Let us slow down to absorb richly each of those precious moments.
Happiness is a manner of travelling, not the destination. Experts say there is more satisfaction in wanting what you have, than in getting what you want! True happiness comes more from striving to fulfil desires, than in final attainment. Reaching goals gradually is more satisfying than a sudden sweep or big windfall. Life should be an enchanting journey with little daily surprises, thrilling adventures, endless discoveries and Remarkably, this expedition is never-ending; our destination changes as we progress along. The more we achieve the more possibilities we see in a widening horizon!
Money should serve a great purpose. Money, mansions, fame and fortune are not the be-alls and end-alls of personal happiness. It becomes a blessing when it enriches not just our own lives but those of others, producing better livelihood and greater wellbeing for all. It is useless, or at best neutral, if it doesnt bring satisfaction beyond the lone individual. Wealth can heighten or lessen happiness, it can be a blight or blessing, a comfort or a curse, depending on the values and wisdom of the one using it.
You are more important than your possessions. Inner development is as important as outside adventure. Many overlook this; they are too distracted by the world around them. To become prosperous in dollar terms is one thing, but to be wealthy in all the great riches of life is something else! You can have cash without goals, contentment, peace of mind, and the joy of fulfilment and contribution. Much depends on the developments in yourself.
Self Development. Tom Morris, in his great book "True Success", noted that we look around this great world and we tend to become "so fascinated by the things we see that we forget to develop who we are. He believed that in pursuing goals we must expand our minds and deploy our talents for all. Charles Schultz affirmed this, "Life is like a ten-speed bike. Most of us have gears we never use.
The quality of each experience is important. Success and happiness do not rely on our possession, but rather on how we capitalise on them, and how we feel in each circumstance. Much depends on our ability to capture the enjoyment of whatever is here and now - the only time in which we actually live. Clinch the present, not the past or future. Savour the richness and fullness of each passing moment. You can enlarge the pleasure of each little experience by lingering on it victories, wonderful personal fulfilment. the sip of sweet liqueur, the delicious taste of a lobster, the sprinkle of warm shower, the crispiness of the clean pillow and bedsheet… It is what we cherish not what we have, that makes us rich. A full life is not so much how long but how well we live. The key is to make everyday and everything most harmonious and gratifying. Even the smallest items can make the biggest difference or impact. These things mean a lot, especially if you add joy, beauty and valueto everyones life. An existence where money only brings anxiety, insecurity, selfishness, greed, family tussles, excessive drinking, gambling and laziness is a lifestyle of trash riches, not true riches.
True Riches. It is best to be wealthy in all the treasures of life which bring fulfilment. We should aim for real blessings: Health, love, knowledge, wisdom, peace and full utilisation of our resources for the welfare of ourselves and humanity. U.S. President Thomas Jefferson reflected on this, "Our greatest happiness...does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has placed us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation and freedom in all just pursuits. Oscar Wilde pointed out, "Ordinary riches can be stolen from a man. Real riches cannot. In the treasury house of your soul, there are infinitely precious things that may not be taken from you. True riches are as follows:
1. The discovery and appreciation of all the beauties, wonders and treasures on earth. Make delightful findings everywhere, enjoy the sciences, arts, literature and culture, relish the charm and fascination in nature. Lie on the cool grass and admire the autumn leaves and soaring birds, play in the park, wade in the creek, whistle in the woods, saunter near the sea, sing under the stars, every chance you get.
2. A life full of moral values, high ideals, hope and dreams and fulfilling them.Platonicus declared, "If I keep my good character, I shall be rich enough. A forward-looking nature, overflowing with aspirations is great. Keep looking ahead and moving on. There are still dreams to build, many good books to read, new songs to sing, sights to see, friends to meet; still many places to explore and many treasures to find and keep.
3. Harmony and richness in human relationship. These include economic security, beautiful friendship, fabulous family life, and the bringing up of splendid and successful children. B. A. Stanley stated. "He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much.
4. A positive mental attitude, with excellent physical, mental and spiritual health. This nature or state is priceless and brings self-esteem, confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, creativity, competence and achievement.
5. The choice of a cause bigger than you are. Work at it with all your heart and soul. You cannot be truly happy if you only live a life within yourself. Marden sighed on this, "Half the world is adrift, without aim or purpose, living an unplanned hand-tomouth existence.
6. Freedom. Under Gods blessing, you are born free, to do what you want. Stay free from restrictions, discontent, stress, doubts and fears. Enjoy this liberty, command your pursuits and control your destiny. Live with abandon, and relax. Hug and kiss your loved ones. Savour the food, music and scenery. Enjoy the bounty given by nature, commerce, science and technology.
7. Work, engrossment, accomplishments and rewards. Research has shown these as sources of great satisfaction for people. M. Csikszentmihalyi stated, "Happiness comes from experiences in which ones mental and emotional energies are invested. We all need a few luxuries to be happy, but it is important to have variety, breadth, height and depth in our lives, and these include: Loving ones livelihood and pursuits with vitality and enthusiasm; getting engrossed; giving excellent performance; then relishing everything from dances to drama, antiques to architecture, painting to poetry, hobbies to holidays. G. Gschwandtner said: "The meaning in life is tofind value in what we do. Bishop Cumberland however, coaxed us to go the extra mile: "Better to wear out than to rust out.
8. A life full of love, virtues and excellence.Jonathan Swift exclaimed: "I am in love with the world. Follow him, and listen to Emmett Fox who advised us, "If you could only loved enough, you could be the most powerful person in the world. Loving, giving and getting reciprocated adds to your riches, as Oscar Wilde noted, "Who, being loved is poor? Speak kindly and do charitable things, secretly! In life, the outstanding minority shine and win, they give the best to the world and receive the best in return. With your love for your fellowmen, love God and obey his commandments. Have faith in yourself, in God and in the eternal life with Him.
9. Knowledge, skills, wisdom, and balance. I cannot conceive of true riches being enjoyed by an illiterate who neither reads nor writes. He misses out too much! A. Schopenhauer noted, "Ignorance is degrading when found in the company with riches. Knowledge is power, and likewise, skills are permanent gold mines and money-spinners. Wisdom is the perpetual guide and protector. Balance brings profound well-being.
10. The fullest use and enjoyment of your inner and external resources. These include all the provisions of this universe, which are shared with others, thereby benefiting yourself and society. Success is measured by how far you have gone with your given talents and calibre. What really matters is what you do with what you have. You must exploit all your powers and potential to enrich yourself, and to contribute to humankind.
The man with true riches can say: Ive used all my talents, abilities and wealth to bring good to myself, my family and the world. As for myself, I have found my true riches. The pleasure derived from writing this Book is overflowing. Now I have friends everywhere! I have taught all of you many things. I have influenced many lives. I have touched the future!
Let us conclude with a brilliant paragraph from Emerson, " To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; ... to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better, ... to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded. Go ahead, you, and all the youths of the world, may God bless you. Go on to dream and accomplish greater dreams! Always believe you can do it, then you can be, do and have anything and everything you have ever dreamed of. Awaken the giant inside you. Be a champion, a star of the greatest magnitude in talents, calibre, will-power and performance. Help to build a world that enhances human well-being. Make your love a miracle, your work a marvel, your contribution a masterpiece and your life a monument.