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“Wealth is the ability to fully experience life” - Oscar Wilde
It’s a funny thing, wealth. The more you think about it, the more expansive you see it is. The truth is, there is no amount of money that will make you wealthy. Once you hit a specific dollar amount you will celebrate, but only for a month or so. Next thing you know, you’re looking to double your money. Here in the United States, you are considered poor if you drive a 10 year old car or bring a ham sandwich from home for lunch everyday. However, if you go to the other two-thirds of the world that would be considered living like a king. Here are some questions for you to consider to help decide if you are wealthy:
- Who controls your time? – There is nothing worse then waking up on Monday morning knowing that you are going to do something you hate for the next week. If you have to go to work out of fear poverty, you’re not wealthy. Remember, in the end time is more valuable than money.
- Are you creating or reacting? – Very simple, a wealthy person is creating their life. Whereas, a poor person is constantly reacting to events, not taking the time to work towards what they want.
- Are you living “high” or are you wealthy? – There are many people that make a lot of money. They also spend a lot money. In the end, they are not wealthy. However, there is another group that makes good money but also creates wealth. More on this statement here.
The fact is that sometimes you have to do what you have to do to pay the bills. Many times that means doing something you would rather not do or even hate doing. However, do not let this temporary situation became a permanent one in life. There is nothing wrong with having gratitude for what you have and that is important but unless you’re the Dalai Lama you’re always going to want more. So this begs the question, when do you know you’re wealthy?
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2 Comments until now.
Hi Rick, this is such an important topic and I find myself revisiting it over and over again. What makes us wealthy? Is wealth tangible or intangible as Oscar Wilde says? I am inclined to think the latter, which then begs the question: How does one fully experience life? Now I think that’s where the Dalai Lama and his one of his ancient predecessors, the Buddha, might be able to help us :-)
It was good to read this post.
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Wealth is the ability to survive x-days forward with your current assets. Wealth should not be confused with rich. Her is a simplified example of a wealthy person:
Assume that you are happy with your life and have monthly liabilities of $6,000. Once your assets pump out over $6,000 every month you are wealthy as your are financially independent and could care less what happens.
Now the key is to keep your liabilities under your assets to increase your wealth and eventually you will cross over to rich.
Keep in mind that this is an oversimplified example.
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