The other day my husband and I were musing about what it will be like when we have millions upon millions of dollars. (It’s more fun to say “when” than “if” 
)
“We are SO going to buy that Main Street mansion,” I said, referring to the gorgeous white colonial revival in the center of town, the one with the manicured rose gardens that sells for over two and a half million dollars.
“And hire a personal chef,” chipped in my husband. “And a trainer. And definitely a live-in housekeeper.”
Ahhhhhh. We sat silently, smiling, basking in our dreams.
Then something made me look at our kids, playing quietly together on the floor. They were building block towers and smashing them into the walls, repeatedly and with inordinate enjoyment.
Would they want any of that stuff, I wondered?
The answer came quickly, and it was a resounding “no”. After all, what would they possibly want with a huge, showy mansion? The home they live in now is just their size and worn to a state of utter coziness. And I started to think about how stressful a move would be. The movers, the packing, the sad goodbyes. Why on earth would they want that? Why on earth would I?
Here is what most little kids need to be happy: Water to drink. Food to eat. Clothing appropriate for the weather. People who love and care for them. A safe place to call home.
And that’s about it. None of it needs to be in the least bit fancy or showy. What little kid cares if the house paint is chipping a bit, or the couch has worn a little threadbare, or the plates and silverware don’t match? Kids don’t notice stuff like that. Kids tend to take things as they are, and love them that way. We can do that to, if we just shift our perception a little bit.
As long as you have your basic needs met, then take this very moment, right now, to love your life. Decide, just for right now, that absolutely nothing needs to change. Decide that you are already rich. Because truly, you ARE rich.
Can you see it now?
Enjoy!
October 31st, 2009 - 3:51 pm
Wow – I love what you’re doing! I LOVE committing random acts of kindness – like buying coffee for the person behind me – and you’re taking it to a whole new level! I believe thoughts create reality, so I’m really striving to keep my thoughts positive around money. And this was a great reminder, that I am already so incredibly rich. Thanks!
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October 31st, 2009 - 4:35 pm
Thank you so much, Liv. And what a gorgeous site you have! One of my very favorite sites on the web is http://myeverydaymagic.com/ which is all about finding the magic in the every day. Now I can add your site, which is about finding the beauty in the every day, to my list. How wonderful!
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November 1st, 2009 - 10:42 am
Thanks for the shout-out, Abundant Elf!
I love this post and it’s so timely, as I was JUST talking about this very topic!
You continue to warm my heart!
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November 2nd, 2009 - 10:05 am
How wonderful! It’s hard to feel down when you count your blessings! I count myself as one of the richest people I know, blessed with an amazing family, support from my community, WONDERFUL friends, my education which is totally covered, health and happiness! Even when our basic needs aren’t always met on our own, we are blessed to have help. Not everyone has that. AND a second job just showed up for my husband for which he is *perfectly* suited, so soon that will be a thing of the past! I am rich indeed, and we are both feeling rather abundant at that! Amazing what a new perspective can do!
The more you pay attention to the beautiful things in life, the more you are able to see them. Since we attract what we focus on the best advice anyone could give is to focus on the blessings in life. Everyone has them and they deserve our unwavering attention. There’s no better way I know of to feel rich.
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November 2nd, 2009 - 11:27 am
Thank you for the reminder to be grateful for what you have.
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November 2nd, 2009 - 4:25 pm
Kate, thank you!
Elisabeth, you are so wonderful. I just adored your comment. I hope everyone sees it; you worded it so well, and there’s so much truth and magic in it!
Mia, thank you for commenting. And I like your Reiki for Abundance site. You know I’m all for that! I actually had a money reiki session with another person who reads this blog. Her site is Envision Joy and she is just beyond superb.
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