Do you know anyone who is "Mega-Wealthy?" I have been with people who I consider 'mega-wealthy'. I've been in BMW's, Mercedes, flown in a jet, sat on their boat, visited their vacation home, hunted on their property. All the while I'm thinking, "man I wish I were rich like they were." Ever thought like that? Bet you have.

I remember making $2.00 working for my dad. Then he gave me a raise to $5.00. I was rich. When I had my first full time job I was making $13,000.00 but had an opportunity to move and make $25,000.00. I was rich. It took me another 10 years to make it to $35,000.00 with two kids and I thought I was rich. But it all ended when we moved to Lubbock. I did my internship, and I made $15,000.00. Was I poor? Hardly. We lived in a rented house and enjoyed the simpler things in life like 'going out to eat' (which consisted of making sandwiches and going to the park). We were rich.

Like most, this past year has been tough financially for me, and I'm discovering again what rich means. Rich is a moving target. Ask anyone how much more money they need in order to be rich and see if they say, "Just a little (or lot more)." 

May I suggest that if you live in the United States you are rich. In fact, if you make more than $38,000.00 you are considered to be in the top 1% of all the people in the world financially.

May I also suggest money is only one way to be rich. How about wealth in relationships, family, career choice, inner or spiritual wealth? The happiest people I know are the ones who have learned to not be fearful and hold on to their wealth but to be conduits and give it away.

On Monday I became richer. I was surprised by a friend who sent me two Eagle concert tickets! He didn't have to, he wanted to. I am a rich man. Now I just have to find someone to go to the concert with who knows what songs the Eagles' play....

So if money were no object what would you do? I hope you think long and hard about your answer. Live a life that is 'mega-wealthy'. Keep things in perspective. Be content today. Be a conduit. Hold things loosely. It hurts too much when you have to let them go.

rb

For those who are Christians, enjoy the following video a friend sent to me. It's only 1:41 long. Great message about the influence of culture on us.