Day: May 20, 2026

He boasted that he is rich and then explained why he believes this is so. In fact, what he sees as his riches have nothing to do with money or possessions. I thought about his words for sometime and then delightfully realized that I too am rich. So here forth is an explanation of why that is so. 

I am rich. I have a working mind that has allowed me to read hundreds and perhaps even thousands of books and articles and written words that have inspired me and left me ever more edified in knowledge and enjoyment of the human capacity to analyze and learn. 

I am rich. I have always known love from my family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and students. My store of good times and laughter is immeasurable. I am an oligarch of incredible relationships that have created the true wealth of my life. From the time I was born to the present day I have experienced the good fortune and extravagance of being with generous people who showed me that nothing in life is more valuable than the moments that I share with others. 

I am rich. I live in a cocoon in which I feel safe and secure. I have not had to endure war or want. I sleep each night in a state of comfort and rise to each new day with the assurance that I will have food to eat, clothes to keep me warm and the beauty of flowers and birds festooning the world around me. I am grateful that my life is not ravaged by want or need even as I see what I must to for those who do not share my good fortune. I understand that my richness requires me to be a generous steward working for the good of all people everywhere. I know I must share the wealth of my life. 

I am rich. I have enjoyed excellent health for most of my seventy seven years. I have mostly had boundless energy and only slowed down a bit as I aged. I have been the beneficiary of good doctors, good medicine and plentiful food. My life has been long and rather easy because of who my parents were and where I have lived. I did nothing to earn my good fortune. It has simply derived from lucky circumstances. 

Sometimes I wonder why I am so rich while others struggle. I suspect that I owe more to those in need because I have so much. It is only fair that I share my energy, my talents, my knowledge, my love. Hoarding the wealth of my life would surely be wrong and so I do my best to help others to learn, to feel safe, to experience the goodness that I have always known. I expect that I fall short of giving enough even as there are so many less fortunate souls crying for help all around the world. I can only do so much but is it ever enough? Surely I am meant to open my heart to the suffering without judgement for they did not have the advantages that have been mine from the time of my birth. 

I am not speaking of money or possessions when I make an accounting of my wealth. In that regard I am quite average but still rather wealthy when I read about a woman living under a tarp with her children not far from where I once lived. I have to wonder what happened to her and how she ended up in such dire straits. I know full well that my family and my friends would never have let such a thing happen to me. What was her story? Why was there nobody to help her? Why I am rich while she is poor?

I have friends and family who do wondrous things for others. They humble me with their generosity and show me that I must do more to spread my own gifts and talents while my mind and body are still working so well. 

Most of us are richer than we may think we are. The measure of our wealth is not focused on gold or possessions but on the relationships and joy that fills the coffers of our lives. Those of us who have much incur a duty to seek out those who have little. Instead of shunning immigrants in search of better lives for themselves and their children it is our duty to welcome them. Instead of insulting and taunting people who are different we should open our arms and accept them. There is much want in the world around us that can be repaired if we all simply learn to love and to choose leaders whose hearts are open as well. Hatefulness is the enemy of us all. It breeds the kind of greed and distrust that threatens to bankrupt us.. Our riches increase in value when we spread them far and wide. The poor in spirit are among us and in need of our generosity and protection. 

I am rich and I have known that every single day of my life. From the time I was born I enjoyed the silver spoon of love, acceptance, safety and freedom. Those who gave me such riches showed me how to share good fortune so that is what I will continue to do.