THE FIVE FORMS OF WEALTH

There are so many of us who fall into the trap of judging our wealth in economic terms-“how much money we have in our bank account”. When we look at the other people in our community or the celebrities on TV and say their net worth is ‘X’ amount and we are not at that level. We actually make ourselves feel that we are not successful.
I believe the amount of money in your bank account is only one metric to measure wealth. In particular there are many forms of wealth. There are people I know who have a higher level of economic abundance; let’s say hundreds and millions of rupees in their bank account yet they are not really happy. So, what I am trying to say is economical abundance is only one form of wealth. There are many people who are rich yet they do not have what I would call “wealth” because they don’t have all five forms of wealth.
There are five forms of wealth and having each of these will make you a truly wealthy or successful person.
1. Economic Abundance: Having money, a lot of it. I call it Vitamin “M”. I think money is important. It makes life easier, it gives you freedom.
2. Relational Wealth: We have a deep need as human beings for community in the sense of belonging. If you have lots of money but you are not connected with human beings, you don’t have great relationship, you don’t know your family, you have no friends, I don’t think you are wealthy even though you might be “rich”.
3. Health: There are so many people who are rich but suffering from illness. Their money can’t buy them health. If you have a good health you are wealthy in so many ways. It is important to put your health first and take care of the temple which is your body. It is always said health is wealth.
4. Adventure: Life is all about having adventure. It’s important to have fun. There are lots of people who have lot of money but who don’t have fun in their lives. They don’t have a child-like sense of wonder. They don’t enjoy living in the moment. They don’t know how to play. They have forgoten the child who lives within them. One psychologist said ‘Adults are nothing more than deteriorated children’.
5. Contribution: A lot of people have a lot of money but they don’t have a sense of meaning, they don’t have a sense of making a difference. One of the highest of all human hunger is the hunger to know that we are not walking the planet in vain; that the world in some way no matter how small is a better place because of our presence.
It is really important to find true wealth in your life. To work on all five of these forms of wealth.
Let me help you with simple tactics to work on each of these five forms of wealth.
1. Economic wealth: a). Work with a financial coach b). Come up with a game plan c). Save 10% of what you earn.
2. Relational wealth: a). Spend time with people, meet the people, LISTEN to them, b). Leave people better than you found them. c). Be the kindest person you know.
3. Health: a). Exercise five times a week b). Eat ultra well because your diet affects your health. c). Take care of the temple that is your body.
4. Adventure: a). Have fun b). Make the time to dance c). Make the time to listen to great music d). Make the time to laugh. The human brain according to latest scientific researches craves novelty. The great way to become happier is to challenge your self through adventures.
5. Contribution: a). Do your part to improve the world, do your part to improve the community, do your part to improve the organization that you are working for. b). Volunteer, no matter what your problems are I guarantee you there are people who are suffering from something that is more serious. That reminds me of a Persian proverb “I cursed the fact that I had no shoes on my feet, until I saw the man who had no feet”. Make sure you are focused on contribution in making this world a better place to live in by what you do each day. Mark twain once said “live your life in such a way that when you die, even the undertaker has tears in his eyes”.