Wealth Building and The Power of Gratitude and Gifting
Over the years, I have been introduced to many people who have decided to bring me on as a financial advisor - and for that, I am grateful. I have tremendous amount of gratitude for clients who have been working with me for many years. They ultimately are the ones that allow me to focus on doing what I really love, which is helping people examine how they spend their resources, articulate their core values and priorities, and implement value based financial planning strategies. A special shout out to all of them: Thank you all from the bottom of my heart!
This brings me to a very important point. GRATITUDE. I will suggest that one of the most important prerequisites of being able to build wealth is being grateful for what you have. Let us think in terms of practicality. If you know that you want a specific goal, let us say buying a new home, but you are never happy or satisfied with what you have right now and you always have to have nicer car or nice clothes or a nicer vacation, your chance of buying a new home is greatly diminished.
It is amazing how people who are grateful for what they have are usually the same people who are more content. They are usually able to save their money and accomplish what they want. I have noticed that people who are grateful tend to be able to use their money more wisely-in the ways that are beneficial not only to them but also to all those around them. If you work on cultivating a sense of gratitude, chances are your journey will be more pleasant. Focus on what you have and be grateful for the resources that you already have. That what you appreciate continues to appreciate.
Gratitude is connected to generosity--an outward display of this inward "feeling". For many of my clients, a personal financial plan is not complete until it includes charitable giving – both regular donations to charity of their choice and a plan to share and transfer a portion of their wealth. The word “affluence” comes from the Latin word “affluere” which means “to flow to.” It appears generous people have money flowing toward them.
Majority of you are probably aware of The Giving Pledge campaign. * The official website states that it "is an effort to invite the wealthiest individuals and families in the world to commit to giving the majority of their wealth to philanthropy." It was introduced to public in 2010 by Warren Buffett and Bill Gates. There are now over hundred billionaires who made the pledge.
You don’t need to be a “rich” to start counting your blessings. You can express your gratitude not only for all that you have but also for all that you are and all that you are becoming. Our potential for wealth is not shown in our bank accounts as much as it is in our genuine interest in wellbeing of others. Start wherever you are and do whatever you can with whatever you have right now. It could be a word of encouragement. It could be a reverential silence while you are sitting with someone in grief. It could be a simple note to express your gratitude for someone’s friendship, service or help. Be genuinely grateful and share generously and “wealth” of all kinds will start to move toward you.
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The source: www.givingpledge.org