Wealth is in the NOW

I recently picked up a book at my children's school market. As usual I put it on the shelve to gather dust - waiting for the right moment for it to catch my attention.

Well, that day was this morning and quite a morning it has been.

I woke up to the rough face licking of our new baby Siamese, aptly named Fire. My kids call him Fiery. Needless to say, morning meditation was a casualty to his relentless attack of affection. For such a small thing he definitely knows how to hold centre stage. I wish you could hear his meow … or should I say growl. In his heart I am sure he imagines being a lion.

If Fiery can believe in himself, after just six weeks - I am sure there is a lesson to be learnt here.

Although the morning ritual had been somewhat disrupted … the kids were now awake. When I left for work, morning kisses where dished on sleepy, but awake and beautiful eyes. Normally the kids would be asleep. That was nice and even better my old girl, 1983 Range Rover, started first time.

Earlier on in the week I bought earphones for my cell to fight off 'flying boredom'. Excited… next week I am going overseas to listen to one of my financial gurus, Warren Buffet, speak at his company's annual shareholder meeting. Back to the car - so normally the music to my drive to work would be the workings of the Landy, but this morning I used the earphones. Randomly, the music inspiringly took the day in a new direction: 'when there is a journey follow the star, if you really want to you can hear me say, you can seize the day'

I also unintentionally took a different and longer route to work today. I think it was longer, but didn't really mind due to the music. With earphones you can really hear the songwriters' thoughts … could almost envisage the words being put to paper?

So finally I am at work … decide to do my meditations. I notice my grandfather's picture has fallen off the wall and hey, we are back to the book. The picture has fallen onto it. I open it up and the first words I read: 'Robbers of time are the past and future. Man should bless the past and forget it, if it keeps him in bondage and bless the future, knowing it has in store for him endless joys, but live in the now.'

Affirmed by the first email I open this morning, in the form of a poem:

SLOW DANCE

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round?
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?
Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight?
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?
You better slow down. Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.

Do you run through each day
On the fly? When you ask, "How are you?"
Do you hear the reply? When the day is done
Do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores
Running through your head? You'd better slow down
Don't dance so fast. Time is short. The music won't last.
Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow?
And in your haste, not see his sorrow?
Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time to call and say "Hi"?
You'd better slow down. Don't dance so fast.
Time is short. The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere you miss half the fun of getting there.
When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift... Thrown away.
Life is not a race. Do take it slower. Hear the music. Before the song is over.

- David L. Weatherford

Is this chance? I believe not. I believe that 'wealth' can be achieved by all who actively seek it out. Ask for it. If there is no willingness to action NOW - one will always dispute the process. Start by focusing on your personal, family and work related goals, 'wealth' will be achieved.

The meaning of wealth comes from the Old English words 'weal' (well-being) and 'th' (condition) which taken together means 'the condition of well-being'. To be genuinely wealthy one must develop a system that aligns your values and principles with the actual conditions of your wellbeing (personal, professional, spiritual, environmental and financial). Understanding the who's, what's, needs and goals that drive us all - this is one of your first steps to being wealthy.

So, is it really just about how much money we have? This writer thinks not.

Genuine wealth is about getting in touch with all the things that make life worthwhile. So what makes life worthwhile for you and are you investing in genuine wealth?