JULY 1, 2022
I am reminded of our title today from the Broadway musical; “Fiddler on the Roof,” which was released in 1967. I am certain we have all thought about being wealthy at least once in our lifetime and maybe even today as each one of us travels our own journey of life. Some of you big achievers out there probably have exceeded your own expectations as to how much money you might have accumulated during your lifetime. Good for you. But if you are worried or coveting those riches you have worked so hard to accumulate over your lifetime, maybe there is another kind of “rich” available to you.
The word “Rich” can have a number of varying definitions. Having abundant possessions and especially material wealth; having high value or quality; well supplied or endowed (a city rich in traditions); magnificently impressive (Sumptuous); vivid and deep in color, full and mellow in tone and quality (a rich voice); having a strong fragrance; highly productive or remunerative; having abundant plant nutrients (rich soil); highly seasoned, fatty, oily, or sweet (rich foods). I love the synonyms for rich which include; affluent, fat-cat, loaded, opulent, wealthy, well-heeled, or well-to-do. Since we live in America, many of us have either experienced some form of richness in our lives or know someone with these means. Are they hurting you physically or are they parked in your mind by you coveting the same things they seek?
Since I didn’t find it in Merriam-Webster, I thought I would add our Elevator Guy thought on being rich. You see, I love working with and seeking out those people who have big hearts and are “Rich in Spirit.” Yes, they might meet all of the above criteria for being rich. But their main purpose in life is to share that “Rich in Spirit” mindset with others. You can read into this what you wish as being rich-in-spirit can connotate a number of different “Spirits.” The Holy Spirit, (Believing in a higher power); an inclination, impulse, or tendency of a specific kind (your mood at any given time); enthusiastic loyalty (School or team spirit); general intent or real meaning (Spirit of the Law); and the prevailing tone or tendency (the spirit of the age).
Here are some great quotes on being rich that I hope you will appreciate: Henry Ward Beecher says; “It is the heart that makes man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.” Alan Cohen reminds us; “Abundance is not a number or acquisition. It is a recognition of enoughness.” (There is our contentment phrase again) “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make a difference that you have lived and lived well.” Ralph Waldo Emerson. “The measure of your life will not be what you accumulate, but in what you give away.” Wayne Dyer. AND, from our old philosopher himself; “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” Thanks Aristotle!
As we have talked before in our weekly remarks, leaving a lasting legacy should be one of our goals in life. That takes some “rich in spirit” background. For those of you that are “Rich in possessions” and considering passing down wealth with minimal cost and taxation, (the traditional estate planning method) try thinking more about passing down personal values to your children and grandchildren as some kids are not capable of dealing with rich, shiny things the world tempts them with. Your job is to put them on the right path of caring about the happiness and survival of others besides hoarding it themselves. That begins with you.
What would YOU do if you were a rich man? (Or woman?)
Elevator Guy
Quote for the Day: “Caring about happiness of others, we find our own.” Plato