The Key to Wealth

What is the difference between the rich and the poor? Money? Perhaps. But what else? What is the key ingredient that separates the rich and the poor. It's got to be something.

There are many unknowns concerning this question. People are born into wealth, some people have brilliant minds or exceptional abilities and are rewarded for their talents, some inherit wealth, win the lottery, or just get lucky. And yes many work hard, make the right investments and over time accumulate wealth.

Then there are those who work hard and never seem to have two dimes to scratch together. Many are born into very unfavorable circumstances with insurmountable odds against succeeding or they're just never presented with the right opportunity.

Why then do some rise out of these bad situations or out of want and poverty into wealth and abundance. No one can answer these questions with absolute certainty or why there is so much imbalance in the abundance of wealth in the first place. There are many unknowns both from an economic point of view and especially a spiritual point of view.

Why so much inequity. We probably will never know the answer to all the whys. However, many a wealthy people have risen from a life of lack into a life of riches. When these people have been questioned about how they were able to acheive so much, their answers ring with some surprising commonalities.

Some of these traits are an undying belief in self or in one's cause. Passion, persistence, tenacity comes up over and again. The willingness to fail and to learn is very important. But more common to them all is the desire to give and give generously.

J.D. Rockefeller rose from a poor family to a modest bookkeeper to an oil refining magnate to one if not the richest man in the world. Rockefeller decided very early in his life that he would amass so much money, as much money as humanly possible just so he could give away and donate money to help others.

It's funny how historical facts get blurred. Rockefeller has not always been painted in such a favorable light but this business pioneer was a devoted family man and humanitarian who gave to countless causes and lived to be a happy ninety years old.

When we convince ourselves that true riches come from giving rather than the scarcity mindset of "what's in it for me". We can begin to experience the true meaning of wealth. Live to give, expect little, and the rewards will follow. Many a great men have said words similar to this.

Also, the ability to learn from one's mistakes and not fear these mistakes and failures but to embrace them and learn to grow from each and every one. This is the key. The thirst for knowledge and learning. The wealthy recongnize when they don't have the answer or know something and seek out answers from those that do.

They are humble students of life throughout their life and can admit when they are wrong. The poor thinking man cannot admit mistakes and is ashamed of not knowing what they think they should and stubbornly refuse to learn and grow and change, because, of course, they have the answers. The result is usually an atttitude of blame, resentment, jealousy, self pity and lack.

Of course there are many gray areas involving these concepts but the prevailing truth is that the wealthy man pursues a life of continual learning and generousity. This may contradict many perceived notions and stereotypes about rich, greedy misers and they certainly do exist. However, these men do not live a life of true abundance and wealth, even though their bank accounts may reflect they do.

A life of wealth is about so much more than money. Money can create the fuel for abundant living and freedom but it is up to you, how you spend your money and live your life.