Focus On Your Gifts To Appreciate What You Have
Life taught me about the riches I already had.
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When I was in my early teens, my dad had a computer buddy.
In my preteen eyes, he seemed to have everything. He and my dad would get together to drink Old Milwaukee beer and discuss the emerging world of computer programming while my sister and I would play with the man’s many treasures.
This was the early 1980s, and it didn't take much to impress my sister and me.
In our house, you received two pairs of shoes at the end of each summer: one for school and one for going to Bible study. It didn't matter if you destroyed a pair or grew out of them, new shoes only came before school started again the next year.
We made the best of what we had, but we never had much.
“Be thankful for what you have. Your life, no matter how bad you think it is, is someone else's fairytale.”
- Wale Ayeni
Scott Ninneman also publishes the free All Things Bipolar Newsletter (off Substack). The Sunday email features the newest content about bipolar life.
Exploring Treasures and Futures
My dad's friend existed in another world.
Visiting his house with a big screen TV, a jukebox, and a pool table was heaven for us. Long before I ever imagined the wonders of digital music subscriptions, I dreamed of having a jukebox of my own.
I salivated like one of Pavlov's dogs every time I saw the TV.
It was one of those giant rear-projection sets that took up as much floor space as a sofa. It didn't matter how much room it took or the high price. I was determined to have one, and nothing else would do until then.
One day, my dad's friend asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up.
"A writer," I said without hesitation. It was my stock answer. "And rich."
He just smiled and nodded his head. "That's a good goal," he said. "But what are you going to do to make that happen?"
"Write a bestseller," I said. The answer seemed obvious.
"And if that doesn't happen right away?"
I thought for a moment. "I'm going to get a job."
"And what kind of job are you going to get?"
"A good one. Maybe a banker."
I imagined everyone who worked at the bank was rich. After all, the two biggest buildings in my town were both banks.
He smiled again and took a sip of his beer. "You're a smart kid," he said. "I think you'll do just fine."
Recognizing False Riches
It wasn't until many years later that I realized how wrong I was about what it takes to be rich.
It isn't just about having a job, but rather about so much more than that. In fact, true riches have nothing to do with money.
Now, I'm not saying that having a job is a bad thing. It's certainly better than not having one. But if your only focus in life is on getting a job and gaining wealth, you're missing out on so much.
There are many people in this world who have jobs but are not rich.
They may be able to pay their bills and put food on the table, but they're not living a life of abundance. Few are doing what they love or following their dreams. Most are just getting by, working themselves to death with no time to enjoy their toys.
I see the sadness in their eyes every year in my tax business.
Recognizing True Riches
Then there are those who are rich but don't have a job.
They smile and laugh and know they chose the good portion. Many stopped working years ago and live in mobile homes they paid off in the 1990s. They grow gardens and bounce grandkids on their knees.
So, what's the difference?
Being truly rich means learning how to focus on your gifts. Those who value what they have enjoy their family and friends and know expensive toys are not the key to happiness. They know what they're good at and they use their talents to create abundance in their lives.
They understand their purpose and thank God for what He provides.
If you want to be rich, start by focusing on your gifts. Who do you love? What makes you happy? Where do you feel at peace? Those are your riches.
For today, think about the things that make you rich. Give thanks for your gifts and tell the ones you love how much you care.
The rest doesn't matter.
What in your life makes you feel rich? Please share your thoughts as a comment.
Writing About Riches
Take some time to think about riches by using these writing prompts.
Journal Prompt: What are the most valuable things in your life? Why?
Creative Writing Prompt: Write a modern-day story about a homeless person granted the gift of turning any object into gold. What do they do with their gift? Does gold make them happier?
Until next time, keep fighting.
Scott Ninneman
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When I grew up, my family was "rich" in finances, but poor in love and care. I thought being rich was what made my family so dysfunctional.
I thought they had so much money that they had the luxury of being unhappy as their basic needs were taken care of. They didn't have to concentrate on the basic needs of life.
So I told my high-school boyfriend (now husband) I wanted to be poor and have 9 children to love.
He said I got half my wish as we went through a very lean period.
But I got the other half by bring a foster parent. Many children to love.
I can say I've been blessed in the love dept as an adult. The love and commitment of my husband helping me through the hard work of bipolar has helped me so much.