Many years ago Jim Rohn gave a speech to a group of people entitled “Today I am a wealthy man,” in which he talked about how lucky he was to live in a country that affords us so many luxuries.
He wasn’t talking about expensive cars or diamond rings but things that most of us take for granted and yet are actually blessed to have.
Travel to some less fortunate countries and you’ll appreciate your own country a whole lot more.
Here are a few things on his list that made him “wealthy.”
- Books he did not write
- Airplanes he did not build
- Sunsets
- Friends
- Freedom
Listening to him talk about what made him feel wealthy inspired me to write today’s post which as you may have guessed is how I am a millionaire without having the money just yet.
The first thing on my list is my wife because the day I met her was the day I became a millionaire.
She has always been there for me.
She makes me laugh. She makes me smile.
But most importantly she makes me feel like the luckiest man alive. I really do feel that I “hit the jackpot” with her.
The second thing is the love I got from my parents.
I always felt loved.
They taught me to stand up for myself.
And they always encouraged me to live the life I wanted.
We may not have had much money growing up, but what we did have was more valuable than money.
Another item on my list is the Internet because it gives me the greatest library known to man.
I can find what I need in minutes, not weeks.
On top of that I can order food from halfway across the world and keep in touch with friends and family.
My job makes the cut because I love helping people.
Nothing gives me more satisfaction than helping others.
Obviously my son is on my list because he shows me all the amazement there is around us.
His smile lights up my day and I feel a great responsibility to be a better person having him in my life.
Humor is on my list because there’s not a day I don’t laugh.
A little laughter goes a long way.
Even in our darkest hours there is always something to laugh about, if you just look hard enough.
My library makes me feel like a millionaire as I have been able to amass a collection of DVDs, audio sessions and, of course, books that possess the knowledge to not only create a fortune but live a better life which is worth its weight in gold.
I would add my love of studying because now I view each day as an opportunity to build upon my yesterdays, and in time, with any luck, I will find myself a millionaire.
And then there are my friends who are the final piece of the puzzle.
Outside of your own family they are your greatest support group and will be there for you when you need it.
So that’s my list:
- My wife
- The love of my parents
- My son
- The Internet
- My job
- Humor
- My library
- Love of studying
- My friends
What’s on your list?
Adrian Shepherd