Celebrate! the Wealth of Others Daily ~ Replace Envy with Joy

There are only two types of wealthy people.

1) Those who see opportunity, live in gratitude for their abundance and share their excess

and

2) Those who likewise see opportunity but create wealth not in gratitude but as cover for their sense of victimization. Because they live in fear, envy and greed manifest. Wealth does not repair a broken sense of self. Like 'victims' in all walks of life, these wealthy individuals may lie, cheat and steal to get more for themselves at the expense of their family, friends and employees.

Interestingly enough, being a #1 or a #2 has no relationship to absolute net worth or cash flow. It has to do with the heart.

Be wary of the blanket dismissal of great wealth as being somehow evil. It is not. In the right hands, wealth is a great force for good.

Frankly, focusing on greedy individuals who tend to make the news and businesses who burn their employees (eg. Enron) are the exception, not the rule. Many wealthy people are generous to a fault. Use then as your standard. The problem is that greed makes headlines, charity makes a footnote. Read the little stories and you will find the big news!

For instance, look at the life of Bill Gates vs. Ellison (11th wealthiest American) with regard to how they have lived their lives and what they give back. Bill Gates married without a pre-nup (more daring than I) and has stepped down from Microsoft to run the humanitarian side of his business. Can you find Microsoft detractors?--sure. What I know to be true is that my daughter worked for Microsoft for several years and the corporate culture supported the best interests of the employees. Perfect corporation? No--human. But for the size and scope--nearly as perfect and limber as any corporation in history.

I won't discuss the specific differences for Ellison except to have you check out how many times he has been married and his well-documented personal reputation. A great money maker but at what cost? I also have a friend whose company was bought up by Ellison and the change in corporate climate was like a death in the family. She was prepared for change but not at the cost of her soul.

Look to the good, the good comes to you. Celebrate! great stewardship of wealth well shared--suddenly you have more to share. Isn't that the goal? To have a bit more than enough? Who do you want to emulate as this happens?

Challenge: Start listening and looking for the generosity and great hearts of those with immense wealth. Celebrate! that good comes to those who share and good will come to you. Please post the stories of shared wealth that you see, read or hear about. I have a long list but will leave it for you to find for now!

I usually offer 3-Day Challenges but this challenge is too important for the REST of your life! Be mentored into stewardship starting TODAY!!!

Celebrate! Wealth!