I was reading a blog last evening, and the writer of that blog was talking about the difference between wealth and riches. She had just finished reading a book by Agapi Stassinopoulos; who in turn... had touted the difference as: 'Being rich means you have a lot of money. Being wealthy means you value the gifts you have and you develop them. Wealth means that you have everything you need, and that you share it, too. It means being generous with what you have, not living in fear of losing what you have, and not comparing it to what anyone else has.'
Now, I've never read this author, but it rather makes sense. Ms Stassinopoulos goes on 'Having intelligence is wealth. Being curious about life is wealth. Ethics is wealth - it is the integrity you have in all your relationships. Having friends who care for you and love you, and whom you care for and love, that is wealth. Taking care of yourself and being healthy is wealth, and so is having respect for yourself and your fellow human beings. Being educated, having a thirst for learning, being able to go to good schools with inspiring teachers who will help cultivate your talents, is wealth too - the most important kind, because without that, it really doesn't matter what else you have. The arts and culture are wealth. The artists of the world are all wealthy. They have gifts that money can never buy.'
The wording doesn't much matter, whether you refer to this as "riches" or "wealth"... as I have seen this theory used with opposite wording. The concept is what's important. So many times, we get caught up in worrying about money... and assume because we have none (or because we struggle for what we do have) that we are poor. We are not. Aside from the gratitude of having a roof and having something to eat... we have potential. We have the ability to grow, to change, to adapt, and to move on.
I was thinking of that... and was immediately reminded of the photo I chose for today's post.
I took it while briefly traveling through Aztec, New Mexico and stopping at a site of some fabulous ruins. And what I see when I look at this photo (beyond how cool the ruins are)... is the idea that you may feel like you've got nothing but brick walls all around you. Life maybe closing in. Things may seem impossible. Success/happiness/ whatever you are seeking... might seem beyond you.... but it's there. And there is always a way to it.
Hang in there, my friends... and I'll see you all tomorrow.