WEALTH: How do you define it? (Part II)
Posted by Robin Easton
When I was younger I sometimes thought that if I had “tons” of money that everything would be perfect, pain and stress-free. Well, there have been times in my life when I had enough money that I didn’t need to worry about it but that didn’t necessarily make my life stress-free. And there have been times in my life when I had very little money, almost none, and what I find interesting is this. Although the times without money were probably harder and more stressful in some ways, they taught me to be creative with food, clothes, entertainment and almost every aspect of my life. I also clearly saw how much we waste in this country (USA) and that we often perceive our waste as normal (if we think about it at all).
I learned from the hard times not to take anything for granted. It was all a gift. I used every bit of food in the refrigerator and didn’t throw away leftovers. I didn’t leave lights on or water running or the heat on high. (Such wonderful things for the planet.) Equally important was that I learned to laugh and love abundantly even in the face of hard times. It no longer became an issue of being happy only when I had tons of money, clothes, food, entertainment, etc. One day I realized that I was simply HAPPY, and my happiness had nothing to do with how much I did or didn’t have.
This is not to say that anyone should suffer in a state of stress or scarcity, although unfortunately many do suffer the world over. In the United States a bit of the right kind of scarcity might help us better appreciate what we have. Regardless, I still believe that monetary wealth and happiness can go together. I’ve learned that money can be a powerful tool for positive change in the world. It can often give us the time and ease to do the things we enjoy. Yet in itself it is not always what makes us happy, wealthy, creative, generous or kind.
Some of the wealthiest people I’ve ever met have little money but they seem to find great happiness in every moment. They are vibrantly joyous to be alive and thankful for every single person, thing and day in their lives. And above all they are generous. I’ve also known people who have a lot of monetary wealth and they are incredibly wealthy in other ways. They are delightfully happy, extremely creative, generous human beings. They inspire everyone around them and use all aspects of their wealth to instill life in themselves and others. They drink in each new day and are thankful.
I’ve often thought that once we begin to live in a daily state of thankfulness, appreciative of everything we have and are given, then magic happens. We no longer focus only on what we don’t have but rather on what we do have. I believe this alone can create a state of abundance in all of its forms.
Some Questions: Pick one or ask your own, sign up for my blog and share your insights.
- How do you define wealth?
- Does money make you happy? Or does something else?
- Are you afraid of monetary wealth?
- Are you afraid of other forms of wealth such as emotional wealth in the form of openness and love from other people?
- Could you be happy without money? (If so, what would make you happy?)
- If you are someone with lots of monetary wealth, are you happy? (If so what makes you happy? If not what would restore happiness to your life?)
From my heart,
Robin
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This Site: © Robin Easton
Website: http://www.nakedineden.com
Blog: http://nakedineden.com/nakedinedenblog/
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4 Comments so far...
doggerz Says:
5 February 2008 at 2:37 pm.
Wow…your photos are wonderful. Is the bird photo of you? 
I read your blog and started to wonder. A friend of mine shared a dvd with me last year. It was called The Secret or something like that. After seeing it, I felt kinda disgusted. It seemed like the video was saying that people are to blame for their poverty, but the measure of wealth as described in the video was material possessions and money. And yet it was produced like a spiritual video. Something I’ve wondered about is material wealth, since I’ve never had it (and can’t say that I aspire to it), do financially wealthy people really feel secure, or are they worried about losing their wealth? I also remembered this show called The Apprentice, which featured Donald Trump. That’s pretty vile. Oh well. I love your site and enjoy the direction you’re taking your blog.
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Getty72 Says:
25 April 2008 at 4:18 pm.
Well, I have decided to start at the beginning of your blog, and already I am buzzing with things to ask and write… however I will start by answering one of your questions.
I have chosen the first one, How do you define wealth?
Wealth to me has no synergy with monetary value. You can be financially well-off but still poor – in the same way that you can be in a crowd of people and still feel lonely, be healthy but still feel sick, be happy but still be crippled with sadness. True wealth is to experience the riches of life, the fruits of the bushes, the music of the birds, the wisdom of the trees, the trust of other living creatures. Wealth is to be able to understand the way of the land, to be able to read the signs of nature. True wealth is to truly live.
I am from a family that were financially poor when I was younger, but I have been fortunate enough to make a career for myself and am now reasonably financially comfortable… but the burden of stress, unhappiness and tiredness that comes with it is too much. The rat race is full of too many unhappy people. We work to ensure that we have a roof over our heads. However, there is nothing more beautiful than to sleep under the stars.
Robin, thank you so much for providing these questions, and thank you for writing this beautiful post.
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phoenix Says:
12 June 2008 at 5:58 pm.
Are you afraid of other forms of wealth such as emotional wealth in the form of openness and love from other people?
Sad to say, I think I am. I think most of it comes from remembering the hurt from the past, so yeah I am pretty much afraid, but that doesn’t mean I am not trying!
And I must say, you talked about a time without money. And I think when I had those times, they were the best! Well looking back now they were great, being in that moment sucked.
I went to the UK to work there for 6 months, landed there, and the first 2 weeks I spent all my money sightseeing and buying stuff,etc, and then I used my last few pounds to buy a bus ticket to the place I had to be for work, and from there, money matters didn’t look any better. But those 5/6 months in UK were the best times of my life, I learnt a lot being there, and “struggling” like i did. I think had I not gone through that experience I would have still been the little spoiled brat I was, and never would have worked for my own money, just relying on parents to look after me. And I learnt a lot about myself.
Great post! makes me think!
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Liara Covert Says:
25 November 2008 at 6:03 am.
Wealth is realizing you have everything you will ever need right now, at this moment. This kind of wealth is immeasurable, imperceptible and life-transforming. It is the realisation you have unwavering and ever-present self-love and self-acceptance.
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