Tag Archives: perspective

How To Be Rich

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to attend a concert that included a set from one of my favorite artists, Sheryl Crow.  And she played a song that I quote all the time, “Soak Up the Sun.”  This is a favorite of mine, not just because it’s a catchy tune, but because I love its message.

There are two ways to be rich.  One is to have enough money to be able to get everything your heart desires.  This one is difficult to achieve.  But the other is easier.  My favorite line from Sheryl Crow’s song is, “It’s not having what you want.  It’s wanting what you’ve got.”  The second way to be rich is to count your blessings and be thankful for the things that you already have.  It’s all about perspective.

I could bemoan the fact that my Subaru is twelve years old.  But instead I’m choosing to be grateful that I have a car that runs well and does what I need.  I could be upset that I’ve been sick a lot recently.  Instead I’m choosing to be grateful that I have good health insurance that I’ve been able to use to get through the illness.

I’m not wealthy by any stretch of the imagination.  But with the help of perspective, my life is quite rich.  “It’s not having what you want.  It’s wanting what you’ve got.”  Take a look at your life.  Count your blessings so you can see just how rich you actually are.  And soak up the sun.