How do you define wealth?
As a personal finance blog, we tend to spend a lot of time on the topic of money. The older that I get (and the faster my 3 daughters grow up) I realize that my personal defination of wealth is changing rapidly. I used to be solely concerned with the weekly, monthly, and yearly fluctuations of my personal net worth. What rubbish that can be when you expand your worldview.
I took my almost 5 year old daughter to our first “Daddy/Daughter” dance this evening. The night was magical, beyond words. If you have kids you are in love with, you know exactly what I’m talking about. This whole evening, I felt like a billion bucks…but even that is a bad way to describe it, because there is Nothing in the world that I would trade for the love and respect of my girls.
This might sound pie in the sky to you, and that is ok. I love to think and dream big, and then focus my energies there. I have finally realized that I’ve already attained a HUGE amount of personal, spiritual, and relational wealth. With that as my foundation, the work now that I CHOOSE to do is focused on expanding those things.
I work because I LOVE to do fulfilling work.
I plan, strategize, and save because I will provide for my family, no matter what…and time enjoying tender moments is worth more than gold.
I want to be able to give GENEROUSLY of myself to endeavors that make the world a better place. People are struggling all over the world right now. I can’t solve every problem, and I understand that. But ANYONE that I can give to in ANY WAY is a step in the right direction…becuase as much as I fight it, I know that life isn’t about just ME, ME, ME.
ANYWAYS, this probably makes no sense…it’s way to late. Love your family! Work Hard for Worthy Endeavors! Have Faith, and never fear the unknown! Seek wise counsel in all you do! Strive every day to leave your corner of the world just a little bit better than you found it! I think these actions will lead to true wealth, regardless of your bank account!
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February 14th, 2009 at 2:10 pm
Words of Wisdom!
Brandon you are a wise and old soul.
Love you
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February 14th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Wow, have a guy turn 30 and he gets all philosophical and stuff! LOL Actually, I’m glad you’ve had this epiphany, if that’s what it is, because you’re right, wealth is all encompassing, not just financial.
Of course, financial is nice, isn’t it?
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Almost Millionaire Reply:
February 14th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Mitch,
Appreciate the support! I thought I was going crazy last night, but epiphany is a better word for sure. All that being said, I still find myself getting up at 6:30 am this morning working hard to make a living!
Almost Millionaires last blog post..How do you define wealth?
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February 14th, 2009 at 4:52 pm
I just learned at 40 (43 now) to look at my life, take all the material things out of it and then see if i would still be happy with just my relationship with Misty and my daughter and her family.
I found out that love, relationships and family is what matters..
Great thoughts! There is soooo much more to personal wealth than money!
If any of you want a great book to read.. Farrah Gray’s book, Get Real – Get Rich, has so many great points about this very thing.. the title may lead you to think it’s about $$ but it’s not!
There’s a link on my blog for it but it’s an affiliate link.. so since I don’t want it to sound like i’m pushing a product.. go to Amazon or where ever and just search for that title and you’ll find it.. great book!
Great post!!!!!
Jakes last blog post..I’m Giving Away My iPod!
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February 14th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Right on big guy! Preach it!!!
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February 16th, 2009 at 6:41 am
This is a very heart-warming post. It’s nice to hear from people that money isn’t everything. I think it’s beautiful that you took your daughter to a father/daughter dance.
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February 16th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Fantastic post there Brandon. Wealth is something which makes you happy, it can be money, health or anything materialistic too.
Make Money Online Tipss last blog post..How To Get Top Ranking In Google
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February 17th, 2009 at 3:16 am
I also attended the “Daddy/Daughter Dance” last Friday. It wasn’t my first and yes, they are a blast. A wonderful way to spend time with your little lady (or ladies in my case). My definition of wealth is to have a surplus of not only money to share with friends and family but TIME. There are many millionaires who are STILL slaves and they’ve never taken the time to attend the Daddy/Daughter Dance. Although they have money, they will one day realize how poor they are.
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Almost Millionaire Reply:
February 17th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
We are right on the same page there. I’m not going to spend my entire life chasing something that I already have today! The DD Dance was incredible, wasn’t it! I bet it was a little warmer where you are though!
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February 17th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
@T Edwards Well said. I agree. I don’t have any extra money, but I have a beautiful smart son and a fantastic husband – those types of “riches” are hard to find. I’m thankful.
Christina Bledsoes last blog post..Celebrity Birthdays For February 17th, 2008
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February 19th, 2009 at 1:58 am
Wealth is having great family and great friends who love ya.
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February 25th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
Great post!!! My brother and I were discussing this topic yesterday. The definition of wealth varies from person to person. I personally feel that true personal wealth has nothing to do with $, but rather having family around you that love and care about you and you feel the same about them. I also feel that it has a lot to do with enjoying what you do and who you are as a person.
Thanks for the post!
Hip Hop Musics last blog post..Blaq Poet x Jaysaun x Termanology – King Of The Jungle
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March 5th, 2009 at 5:17 am
I totally agree with you about family and friend possibly being a better measuring stick of wealth than just the size of your bank account.
Even when it comes to money though, I’ve always thought that the best way to define being “rich”, is when you have Freedom From money … ie, money doesn’t control your life, or make important decisions for you.
By this definition, there are “rich” people in our country who may barely make 30 or 40k a year. And on the flip side, there are probably far too many people in the top 5% of income, who if you really step back and think about it, might not be all that “rich” after all.
Just my three pennies,
Todd
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Almost Millionaire Reply:
March 5th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Great insight my friend, Mine and my wife’s folks are extremely rich in their ability to have free time and be generous…both on regular incomes. They control thier own lives and the decisions that they make. They both seem like really happy couples.
Almost Millionaires last blog post..How Low Can Stocks Go???
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September 18th, 2009 at 5:15 am
such a great site you have
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October 3rd, 2009 at 11:56 pm
You have reached the pinnacle of success as soon as you become uninterested in money, compliments, or publicity.
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