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Guest Writer
The seven forms of wealth
By Iyer Subramanian
Iyer Subramanian |
Today, we gather knowledge and skills in order to become wealthy.
One is assessed successful in life purely based on the amount of wealth one
has at one's disposal. We want to collect wealth ceaselessly till our dying
day, hardly knowing that other forms of wealth exist as well.
Strictly speaking, wealth isn't just about money. There are several other elements/types
of wealth which you need to gather before you actually become wealthy. In other
words, you need to acquire several other forms of wealth before you get to experience
'real' wealth. Listed below are a few of them.
-
 Inner
wealth: This includes a positive mind set, self respect, internal peace
and a strong spiritual connection. This literally means that your mind should
always be at peace and co-ordinate with every element of the body positively
at all times in order to provide optimum results. In other words, whatever
the mind says, the body should agree with and whatever the body decrees, the
mind should accept.
- Physical wealth: Your health is wealth. What
is the point of reaching great heights in your career, if you get sick doing
it? We all take our health for granted, often consuming anything at any time.
If you do not follow a proper diet, coupled with enough exercise, your body
will not perform towards the required output. If money is lost, nothing is
lost; but if health is lost, everything is lost. In other words, why would
somebody want to be the best corporate head in the hospital ward?
- Family and social wealth: When your family
life is happy, you tend to perform better at work. No one gets to the end
of their life and regrets making their family their first priority. It is
extremely crucial to forge deep connections with friends and members of your
personal community. People need social acceptance and recognition, apart from
real wealth. People are emotional creatures and the bucket of emotions has
to be full at all times.
- Career wealth: This is a hunger which every
one of us strives to fulfill. Actualising your highest potential by reaching
for the best in your career, is extremely important. Getting to greatness
in your profession brings a feeling of satisfaction for a job well done. Each
one of us struggles in one way or another to stick with a career which helps
us to lead a respectful life. Being top class in your work is also good for
your self respect.
- Economic wealth: We cannot survive without
money. It makes our life easier, gets us all the comforts in the form of a
house, car, and vacations and provides well for our family. You are at peace
only when you have money. Your mind can concentrate on work only when other
needs are taken care of and this can be fulfilled only when you earn and have
sufficient money at your disposal.
- Adventure wealth: All of us crave for challenges.
However, the degree of challenge required differs from person to person. The
human mind craves for novelty. Human beings, being creative and innovative
in nature, indulge in the habit of constantly creating, in order to feel joy.
The quest to explore something unique rests exclusively with human beings,
and not with any other living creature. Meeting new people and visiting new
places are essential elements of authentic wealth.
- Impact wealth: Perhaps the deepest longing
of the human heart is to live for something greater than itself. Each of us
craves to be significant. To make a difference. To know that the world has
somehow become better because we have walked the planet. A leading author
once wrote, 'Here lies the test to find out whether your mission on earth
is finished. If you're alive, it isn't.'
Thus, money alone does not define being wealthy. There are many rich people
who are unhappy and unsuccessful as human beings. By focusing on elevating all
seven of these areas to the highest levels, you will not only be admired by
all those around you - you will also find contentment that lasts. Make every
sort of wealth yours before you experience 'real' wealth.
The author is Professor at Anjuman Islam Institute of Hotel
Management, Mumbai and can be contacted at iyerpdkgnm@yahoo.com
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