Would you rather die rich or wealthy? This question popped into my mind following a discussion with one of my friends. Jan is the most outrageous person I know and she always has me in stitches when I speak to her - in person or on the phone. I love having her in my life; our friendship is a jewel much more precious than inanimate, cold, albeit sparkling diamonds! She said she had been wealthy for some of her life, but rich for all of it. What a fantastic way of viewing life, because when you think about it we are all rich - fabulously rich. And some of us are wealthy - which doesn't necessarily lead to a rich life.
What does a rich life mean to you and your family? Is it the love, compassion, sharing and caring that being a family (whether it's a family of friends or blood relatives) brings? Or the number of different experiences you have in life? Or is it to be well and bursting with vitality? Or perhaps contentment with what we have? Is it to be involved with your community helping others? Or perhaps to have a balance between all areas in your life? What would make a life fulfilling, rewarding and satisfying? Answering that question will help you understand the components of a rich life - for you.
How would you define a "rich" person? Someone who laughs a lot? Someone who enjoys every moment? Someone who knows themselves and is true to their values and morals? A person who loves learning and seeks new opportunities whenever they can? Someone who makes the most of all aspects of their lives?
Like my very special friend, Mela. Full of energy and enthusiasm, she has always tackled her life with gusto. She had a wonderful single life; completed a degree at University; started her own business; married her dream man (who is gorgeous with a capital G!); lived overseas; had two beautiful girls; when back to study art after the children were born; and now adores learning to sculpt. Whew! And she's only half way through her life! Before anyone mumbles "Oh sure, it's OK for her because she must be loaded" - no she's not! And she has had some terrible sadness in her life, but always experienced it, learned from it and moved on. Her lust for life (passion is too tame a word for Mela!) makes her one of the richest people I know.
And a lust for life doesn't have to cost a fortune! A rich life can be a very simple one. Someone who has the ability to enjoy every moment of their day is truly rich (even the relatively unpleasant moments). Look at how a toddler lives life - we are all born rich and then some how, we lose the knack along the way. When you go for a walk, do you feel humbled by the beauty that exists around you? Really look at the trees and sky and clouds; notice the birds and their songs; see other people enjoying themselves (sometimes you have to look for a while!). Revel in the glory that you are alive! And make sure you make the most of being alive - lots of people die at thirty but their bodies keep walking around!
Before anyone "bah humbugs" me and says 'Well, she obviously wrote this while on drugs!" - anyone who knows me will tell you that I'm really like this! I make the most of life's experiences. I always expect highs and am bursting with enthusiasm when they occur, and really experience to the fullest extent the lows! But that's part of the richness isn't it - to be able to feel. Most of us die without having allowed our real feelings and emotions to surface since the age of five. No matter how wealthy you are, if you can't feel, both elation and sadness, you are poor.
If you have friends and environments that allow you to be yourself you are rich beyond your wildest dreams. Having that unconditional acceptance is a rare quality we need to actively seek in our lives if it is absent. If you have one person that loves you for you or even a pet who enthusiastically greets you when you arrive home, you are rich. If you have a job at all you are rich! If you have a job you love and put great energy and enthusiasm into, you are hugely rich! (Even if you have a job you don't particularly enjoy, be grateful you have one and put your best into it - you will be amazed at how much more job satisfaction you experience. You may even be noticed and promoted to another job you love!)
We are all rich - some of us just don't notice it as much. Some of us choose to focus on aspects of material poverty - stop it! Seek instead those areas I have outlined and focus on those. Develop a lust for life - a love of your life and a passion for what you have and you'll be bursting with richness!
