It’s interesting—the trail of a thought! I was watching this podcast on entrepreneurs when it occurred to me. As Riteish and Nikhil were talking about early life success, the imposter syndrome that comes with it, and its connection to ‘belief in God’ (the higher power that’s given you more than you deserve), I was intrigued by how much a person’s worldview gets shaped by his or her experience. Funny as it is, listening to these financially super-rich people share their stories, I started wondering about the non-monetary richness a person has.
Here are some pointers that might make you consider your own:
- Two people under the same circumstance: one can’t stop complaining, for he believes that things aren’t good enough, that they go bad exactly when he hopes they shouldn’t; another can’t be more grateful because to her, as hard as life is, it isn’t as bad as it could be; it’s way better than she had imagined. Under identical external circumstances, it’s the internal make-up that matters. Belief in God, in yourself, in the fact that the world is with you; that as bad as it may get, it isn’t as bad as it could be. And even if it were, you’d get through it sound and safe. Having this perspective in itself is a form of wealth; how much of it do you possess?
- How many people can you call right now? Like, if you were to talk to someone about random stuff, how many such friends do you have? How many people hold you in good spirits—in your circle, your office, your colony, extended family, your NGO, your gym, dance class? How lucky you are to have people praise/roast you vehemently when you dress up and post a picture online! To have people who you can go shopping or movies with; friends you’d consult with before buying a phone or car; people who make you taste good food and introduce you to good music; who send you dark memes and stupid reels; people who might not say it when you make progress but get genuinely happy for you in their hearts. When you sit to assess what you’ve earned in life, do not forget those names, for they are a treasure trove you have!
- When you step in at the office or do that online check-in, how do you feel? Aren’t there some buddies you can crib with, for Mondays are so bad! Some days work is demanding; sometimes it is lax, but it always keeps you occupied. Sometimes easy and boring, other times requiring you to fire all brain neurons at the same time! Interactions with others, places to shine. It brings a lot of meaning and stability too; nothing like getting the ‘salary is credited’ text on your device! A combination of workdays and weekends; waking up and knowing what to do; a sense of life continuation; a group of people you can band with; a structural daily provision of hard problems you can work on and excel at. As bittersweet as your relationship with it might be, it is a crucial piece of your grand edifice!
- She has that allergy; he easily falls sick when the weather changes. She is taller than usual; he is shorter than usual. He suffers from motion sickness; she has problems with falling hair. Diabetes is prevalent in their family tree. One has a superfast metabolism and finds it hard to put on muscle; the other has it slow, can’t get rid of fat. Pretty smile inherited from mom, dazzling eyes just like dad. So much of how we look, what our physical characteristics are, our health conditions, propensity to acquire certain diseases, genetic lotteries we are blessed with, are beyond our control. Yes, there are things that you can do to enhance or degrade it. but you can’t overlook the gifts you were bestowed with. An inheritance—not of money but of genetic makeup that your parents put to your name.
- Experiences shape us, be it in childhood or the formative years. How much affection we get, how many betrayals we face, impact how we approach relationships. It matters what city we were born in, what era, and which family. The education & money situation. The exposure that we get, the hobbies we inculcate. The trophies we win, the fears we acquire over time. A closer look might reveal how much of your nature comes from your nurture—your personality, your worldview, your conditioning! How you handle defeat and prop back up; how you celebrate success and don’t let it get in the way forward. The core of your personality – anger management, stress control, ways to overcome fears/sadness. A rich mindset isn’t just about the money but also the principles and perspective with which you approach everything else.
The question opens the door to so many different plains, like, How rich are you in terms of sleep and stress? Can you afford to be stupid and suck at something? Are you rich enough to give your family the time they deserve? Do you periodically do a SIP in your relationships and have acquired some stupid friends? Were you lucky enough to have the optimal lack of resources that makes one strong and independent? What sort of riches of experience you have—what memories, lessons, beliefs, and faiths; the talents and allergies you are born with; the nature and nurture you have! How fortunate you are to have the sort of relationships you have with family, friends, God, and yourself. It’s one thing to be blessed with money; it’s another to possess good health. Hope the next time someone asks, “How rich are you?” a smile comes to your face, for even you can’t fully assess the plenitude of treasures you possess.
Mukhtalif 