As far as I’m concerned, I already have.
I don’t want millions of dollars.
I want enough to pay my bills, save for my kids, go on vacations and enjoy life.
I don’t want to forget how it feels to work hard for what I earn.
I want to feel that sense of accomplishment; like my hard work and dedication paid off.
I don’t want to be complacent and settle into a life that is “easy”.
I want to experience the pressure to provide, so that when I do, I feel like I earned it.
I don’t want to be wary of who is a real friend and who is just after the money in my bank account.
I want friends who celebrate me for who I am and value me for what’s in my heart.
I don’t want to be known as that person who “won the lottery”.
I want to be known as the person who “made a difference in people’s lives.”
I don’t want to forget the value of a dollar.
I want to always remember just how much a dollar is worth.
I don’t want to be clouded by the empty, meaningless value of money.
I want to remember its purpose, but always make love & contribution a priority.
But…what could I do with that money?
I could share it with those who are suffering with medical bills. I could give money to someone who lost everything in a tragedy. I could help people whose lives would be infinitely brighter if they didn’t suffer from constant financial stress and had a little extra in their bank account. I could donate it to charity to bring joy to kids, to provide support to people in need, to lift a weight off shoulders that need a break. I could stop working. I could go on a vacation with my loved ones, buy a bigger house with two bathrooms and a finished basement, drive a fancy car, see the world.
But, what won’t that money give me?
Love. True friendships that are worth more than piles of gold. Healthy kids. Healthy loved ones. Precious moments. Self-effacement. Humility. A purpose. Gratitude for a roof over my head, shoes on my feet and warmth in my heart. A home filled with love. Pride. More time. Prevention from heartache and loss.
Protection from the world. Hugs. Memories. Life.
The things that REALLY matter.
When all is said and done, I will cherish all the things that money can’t buy. And I don’t want anything to distract me from the moments, memories and people that fill my world with immeasurable love, smiles and sunshine.
