A few days ago, I wrote a piece for my business blog entitled “Get Rich Quick!”
As I was formulating the idea for the piece, I thought that it would be cool to write a companion piece that spoke more on a personal level than business.
But to be fair, I need to discuss two sides to “richness.”
First off, the most widely accepted definition of rich pertains to finances.
I don’t know how many times a day I see people posting links about making money, and making money fast, with seemingly little work. All you have to do is join this program, or buy this training, etc.
The negative responses are just as numerous. I really could use this training, but I can’t afford it. I don’t have enough money to put gas in my car. I’ve lost my job and the economy sucks.
To all this, and I’ve had my fair share of spouting off the same sentiments, I say this…
If your “why” is strong enough, you will find the money to do what you need to do.
Look around your house. Grab a box, and go through each room, and put everything you don’t touch, use, or even recall being there in the box.
You’ll probably need more boxes.
Then, depending on what you’ve gathered up, jump on eBay, or CraigsList, if that’s your thing. Maybe have a yard sale. With some friends…make it FUN!
You’ll be surprised how much money is sitting in your house, untouched.
And how many training products you’ll be able to afford. Or vacations, or new shoes!
If you have “stuff” laying around the house, taking up space, then you have no business whining about being in the poor house. (Perhaps a harsh reality check, but I’m not apologetic.)
Now, maybe you are one of the rare breed of people who still finds that riches aren’t about money or possessions at all. I have my moments still where I’m amazed at how truly rich I am, despite the sometimes sorry state of my finances.
So, once again, take a walk around your house. Maybe you’re married, with children and pets. Feel the love that emanates from them. Just let it flow through you, over you, around you.
Maybe you live alone.
Look out your window. Seek out the peacefulness of nature in your own backyard. Hear the trees, take in the sky, the stars, the clouds, the contrails of the jets. Feel your smallness, in this seemingly endless universe. Then revel in your uniqueness. Focus on something that only YOU can offer to the world.
Think of the smiles you bring to people’s faces, without even trying.
Think of the tears and sorrow that you’ve soothed away, just by listening, or offering a hug, or a kind word.
If you do these things, or even just take a moment to quiet your mind and listen to your own heart beating, you can’t tell me that, for even one second, you don’t feel like the richest person alive.
If you don’t….if you can’t find that breath of a moment, then you may have bigger problems than where your next dollar is coming from.
Lost in Translation 