Being Wealthy vs. Feeling Wealthy
Take a look at the list below:
- Being Wealthy vs. Feeling Wealthy
- Being Beautiful vs. Feeling Beautiful
- Being Famous vs. Feeling Famous (important)
Notice that the “being” characteristics are all subjective evaluations. That is, they are relative, and maybe even arbitrary. For instance, how much money do you have to have to be wealthy? 10,000 dollars? 10 million dollars? The number is different for everyone. I think I remember a survey that asked many people how much money they would have to make to be wealthy. The average amount was approximately twice the annual salary that each individual was currently making at work.
One problem with wealth is that once you reach one plateau you then make goals that are more ambitious. so you never really feel satisfied. If I asked you 10 years ago what annual income would be ideal, my guess is that you would have answered a number even less than you make now. What happened? Once you reached your goal, you made another more challenging goal.
Is it possible for a person to ”be wealthy” yet not feel wealthy? Imagine starving children in Africa. If you live in a developed country, chances are you are wealthy indeed. Yet, most people, even in developed countries, feel poor?
Can you be beautiful, yet not feel beautiful? Can you be important to others, yet not feel important? Yes.
Spend some time today actively recognizing how you are wealthy, beautiful and important. Write a list of the five things that need to be true in your life to feel wealthy. Then use that list to understand your thinking, challenge every item on that list. Is it really true that you need these things before you can feel wealthy?
Remember, wealth is not just about money; there are other aspects to wealth. Family, health, attitude and other factors can make a person wealthy too.
Recognize how your quality of life is being degraded by the false idea that you are not wealthy. Resolve to change this today.
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Related Posts:
- Experimental Cheerfulness Article
- Happiness and Courage Article
- Why We Choose Unhappiness Article
- Happiness and Choices
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January 16th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
You are right that these perceptions are all relative. When I compare myself to some groups of people I feel rich, but when compared to others I feel very poor. In the end I think it is all about being comfortable with yourself.