November 3rd, 2008 @ 8:26 am by: Marc
10 Reasons You Are Rich
Even in times of financial uncertainty, it’s always important to keep things in perspective.
Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.
- Henry David Thoreau
- You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night.
- You didn’t go to sleep outside.
- You had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning.
- You hardly broke a sweat today.
- You didn’t spend a minute in fear.
- You have access to clean drinking water.
- You have access to medical care.
- You have access to the Internet.
- You can read.
- You have the right to vote.
Some might say you are rich, so remember to be grateful for all the things you do have.
Photo by: Carfe
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55 Comments
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:45 am
Brilliant!
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:16 am
That is so right. People tend to think they are poor in my hometown when in fact they are far from poor.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:29 am
thanks again for a great post, i was feeling grumpy this morning and reading this changed my mood… ^^/
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:23 am
There are many things to be grateful for. When we choose to honor and remember them, we will experience wealth!
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:24 am
How true! Taking just two minutes each morning and each evening to be grateful for ten things can change your entire outlook on life. Thanks for the reminder!
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:30 am
Thank you for the list; yest I do feel “blessed” after reading this. Very humbling and puts my current struggles in perspective. (Need to get that load of “stuff” off to charity.)
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:35 am
This is a nice little article Marc. I was reminded last week that how we define words - eg “success” or “rich” - can have a big impact on our lives, particularly when it comes to how happy we are. This article is another great reminder.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:46 am
and the #1 reason (for me), I am able to spend time with my precious grandchildren - and my life is blessed because of it
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:00 pm
I strongly believe that so much of our personal struggle is perspective based.
I enjoyed your simple, yet clearly thoughtful list. Thanks for sharing it with us.
Eric.
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Amazing that we take all of these things for granted. I count myself rich on the days I don’t worry about money. Funny how that looms so large on our horizon! G.
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
thanks for the reminders. It is so important to be grateful for what we have.
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Sometimes it is the little things that we need to be grateful for.
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Wow… it is easy to lose sight of things when we get wrapped up in our own world and our own problems. Life is so easy for most of us. In fact, I went to bed with a stomach ache last night because I ate too much. And I complained about it. It is pathetic. Thanks for the reminder to put things in perspective and realize that we have it so easy.
- Jack Rugile
Simple Sapien
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
i complained always not being rich but totally your right. I’m rich! should be grateful of what i have.. tnx
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Amen! And there are so many more things that could be put on the list. This was a great reminder - thank you!
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
@All: Thanks for all the kind remarks and additions. At times we become so overly consumed with the things we don’t have that we fail to appreciate all the true gifts in our lives. Writing this short article served as a reminder for me as well.
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:15 pm
Too bad being rich is more of a relative thing. Even people in Africa have things to be thankful for that they take for granted. There are people in the world with less money than the average American person but experience the power and respect of someone who is a millionaire there. It’s all relative.
November 3rd, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I printed this and put it on my fridge to remind me to stop complaining when my son has once again left the empty milk jug in there.
Thanks for sharing.
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:11 pm
10 Reason why they are poor!!!!
1: Too religious
2: Western countries sucking their blood..
3:So called international laws, requires them to sell their products for pennies
4: So called intelligent agencies creating incidents, so that they fight eachother
5: Humanitarian aids reaches to them by less than half what actually it is
6: We want to wear new clothes
7: We like doner kebabs after binge drinking
8: Our free world is sucking our blood, and enslaving us by putting us on debt
9: Elite people believe that the world population should be around 300 Million
10: If you don’t believe what I say, go and find out your self, by watching Zeitgeist…
Then you will know, why they are actually poor, and why they make you think that you are RICH(?!?!?!)
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:13 pm
Its completely ridiculous to compare the economic state of one country and its citizens to another, which is what you have done here.
For example, in Zimbabwe, inflation is at 231 million percent. This means that even if you’re one of the richest persons in your country, you couldnt afford to buy anything there and would be just as poor as your fellow citizens.
You can only compare your wealth to others living in the same financial environment as yourself. Poverty exists in every country worldwide, including your own.
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:54 pm
This is so very true. Thanks for posting this and reminding people of what they have…especially for this holiday season when people will be buying less.
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Simple but on the spot. Great post
November 3rd, 2008 at 7:13 pm
Nice try at the guilt trip, but no one controls where they are born, I am gratefull I was born in a developed country, but I dont buy into the culture of beating myself up, over something I have no control over.
How about you spend your host costs for this website, on helping out the less fortunate, instead of spreading bad vibes to everyone?
And now for your ‘points’;
1. You didn’t go to sleep hungry last night.
How do you know? - Assumptions.
2. You didn’t go to sleep outside.
How do you know?, I could be living on the street and reading this on a library computer.
3. You had a choice of what clothes to wear this morning.
Actually no I didnt, since I cannot aford to buy many clothes.
4. You hardly broke a sweat today.
Actually yes I did, since I excercise.
5. You didn’t spend a minute in fear.
Actually I am fearfull every day, since I suffer from depression and anxiety.
6. You have access to clean drinking water.
So does alot of the 3rd world, and I give what I can to christian aid in helping dig wells where they do not.
7. You have access to medical care.
The NHS in this country resulted in me losing my hearing, and is piss poor overall. And in fact, the medical establishment is well reported in causing more deaths (through mistakes) than many leading diseases.
9. You can read.
Yes I can read, but for a long time I could not, since I have dyslexia, but taught myself to overcome it.
10. You have the right to vote.
If you call the option of picking between two liars who you despise equally, then I suppose this is true.
So in essence, please stop portraying other people of the world as ‘victimes’ it is this mentality that holds them back.
Ciao.
November 3rd, 2008 at 8:07 pm
amazing post! simply amazing! that sure did put things into perspective!!!
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:14 pm
if you go camping though you only retain #9 and #10
November 3rd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
how bout #11. Your reading this
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:08 pm
Not only did I have the choice of what to wear, but I had a CHOICE period. I think we all tend to take that for granted sometimes.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:15 pm
I didn’t have 3, 4, 5, or 8 today.
It was an off day.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:27 pm
One should believe they are rich even if they don’t meet that criteria. If one looks for riches in those things, it will never, truly, be found. [Though I understand the point that is trying to be made - it doesn’t change the aforementioned.]
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:45 pm
You had me all the way, up until #10. There is no such thing as a right to vote, at least in the USA.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:27 am
- Nobody’s bombing your village.
- You can expect to outlive your children.
- Nobody in your family has been “disappeared”.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:02 am
This is quite true. Everyone is moaning about credit crunch. However about those third world country citizens who’s crying and hunger for foods every single day. Let’s soul search ourself and think what went wrong with us…
November 4th, 2008 at 1:17 am
Cool post, but 5, 6, and 7 really aren’t as realistic as you think for the majority of Americans. My friend can’t get healthcare insurance right now because of a condition she had in the past. Most Americans do have access to healthcare, but they can’t use it. As for water, I have not drank from the tap, ever, in Los Angeles. The water is too dirty. And as for living in fear, are you kidding me? We’re all terrified.
But we live better than something like 90% of the world’s population. So you’re right - we do have a lot to be grateful for. If only we weren’t so lazy, fat and stupid.
November 4th, 2008 at 1:55 am
And even those of us who only have most of those (9 are true for me… well, technically 8 but that’s only because it’s laundry day!) are richer than the overwhelming majority of the world’s population. It helps, sometimes to keep that in mind.
Other times, it’s just appropriate to let myself feel self-pity for a few hours and then give myself a metaphorical kick up the rear and keep on keeping on. Thanks for the reminder,
Ricky
November 4th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Thanks for such an interesting post. It made me think.
November 4th, 2008 at 10:00 am
@Voice of Reason: You’re right. Being rich is all relative. That’s the whole point of this article.
@Divers: That’s a pretty negative outlook, but there’s truth in your claims. Greed certainly acts as a prime force in our world economy.
@Will: You’re missing my point. I’m not suggesting that the rich people of Zimbabwe are truly rich. I’m suggesting that YOU are rich in comparison to most of them.
@Kris: Sorry to hear about your personal problems. I hope you feel better.
@Ola: You’re right. No one principle fits everyone. The point is to be grateful for the things you do have… the things others wish they had.
@Everyone else: Thanks for the kind words and insightful comments.
November 6th, 2008 at 5:37 am
I live in South Africa and whenever I am feeling self pity I only have to look across the valley and see people who live in absolute poverty to remember that I have so much to be grateful for.
November 6th, 2008 at 8:13 am
This is a beautiful little article Marc. And there are so many more things that could be put on this list. This was an incredible reminder… thank you!
November 7th, 2008 at 7:31 am
It’s easy to forget these things isn’t it.. true, there’s a lot more that could be added, but this short list is all you need to realize that. And that realization is the important part.
November 9th, 2008 at 1:48 am
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November 9th, 2008 at 5:04 am
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November 9th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
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November 11th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Wow, we all need to be reminded of this to remain grateful.
November 12th, 2008 at 5:01 am
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November 12th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Short and to the point. One of the greatest principles of wealth is first being grateful for what you have. Why would you ever be given more if you don’t appreciate what you already have!
Thanks for the post! I just followed you on Twitter as well. Looking forward to it!
November 15th, 2008 at 1:46 am
11. I have a job.
November 15th, 2008 at 7:54 am
I tend not to try and make myself feel better by comparing my life to the misfortunes of others.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:31 am
It’s my wish that everyone in this country be required to travel overseas for a period of time in their lives. We’re spoiled rotten and because we have no perspective outside our “perfect” world, all most of us do is sit in front of the TV and complain! Simple things like ice in a drink are taken for granted here, while everywhere else in the world they are considered a luxury.
November 18th, 2008 at 1:02 am
Actually, 70% of Americans don’t currently have a dental plan. But we are working on correcting that. Great article.
November 18th, 2008 at 5:52 am
This sounds nice, but actually I disagree. We all live in our own perspective and in that perspective we have our own measure of heaven and hell. It is simply not comparable to make our pain go away by looking at what someone has or does not have. The truth is..having met many people like this..they are generally happier than those of us who are educated and living in ‘western’ conditions. I believe everyone’s perspective is valid and we shouldn’t negate our situation by trying to think we have life so much better than someone else. After all, it is all in our mind and our own pain is just as real as anybody else’s.
November 21st, 2008 at 11:39 am
Thanks for that! It really made me think. I tend to think of myself as poor, when I really shouldn’t, because we’re all really pretty far from it.
Thanks again.
November 22nd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
I lose eight of those when I go camping.
November 22nd, 2008 at 3:55 pm
i go camping! i’d prefer not to have a home and just one pair of clothes and to break a sweat everyday and go to sleep hungry. those are our basic rights that have been taken away from us. take the weight of the modern world off your shoulders and learn to really survive!
December 15th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
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December 19th, 2008 at 12:21 am
I love it short and to the point, but so true.
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