Things that Make Me Feel Rich….No Matter the Size of My Bank Account
Money is a funny thing. Just the thought of its absence can send us into a tailspin of fear and anxiety. The what ifs of life can keep us awake at night and shake our confidence in tomorrow. I have had so many sleepless nights and anxiety ridden days worrying about money. Would there be enough for the needs of my children, from school projects, to clothes, to college tuition? Would I be able to give them the experiences that I believed would make them well-rounded adults? Trips, concerts, art and history museums, time spent in different parts of the country, or world? Everything seemed to cost money, and often more than we had. My children’s well-being was always at the top of my worry list but so many other things followed behind.
My child raising days are over and in spite of all my worries, my children had “enough”. They might have had a little more of me had I not been so wrapped up in my worries! I’ve come to accept, however, that we all do the best we can as parents and the rest is up to them. And darn, if they aren’t doing a pretty good job of making a life for themselves. They are good, kind and caring people…in an often less than kind world.
When money stresses ease, and I begin to dream, I find that I don’t dream about expensive jewelry or a bigger house. I don’t think about new furniture, a new wardrobe, or a new car. I do think about taking a class, visiting a friend or buying a book. I’ve recently re-discovered a few things that I used to take for granted, before I went for so long without them and I am struck by how much comfort the little things can bring. They symbolism something much more than the having of a possession. They symbolize security, warmth and comfort.
Here is a short list of a few of those things:
I love socks! Wigwams are my favorite, but anything colorful makes me smile.
A box of Puffs! Unscented please.
A Good book.
My boys. Or a reminder of them.
A New Box of Crayons.
It doesn’t take money…at least not much…to make us rich.
What are the little things that make you feel as though you are living an abundant life?
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Aging Abundantly | Women Over Fifty | Empty Nesters | Caregivers | Aging Gracefully 
Dorothy,
Just the gold of sun shining through a dense thicket of leaves and being with a good friend make me feel rich.
Nature…an ever constant reminder of riches freely given and ever present.
Sitting in my patio with a glass of wine at day’s end with my husband by my side, comfort food cooking on the stove for dinner, and hearing the birds say good night to each other in the trees.
Lovely, Angeline! I’m ready for a little spring weather and just such a moment of abundance.
This is a perfect post for a Monday, Dorothy. Joan and Angeline have waxed poetic, but I think I will take a different tack. Yesterday we had the whole family over for a ham-loaf dinner: Crista and her family, Joel and his family. The grand-children used to sit with adults in between to help with spills and/or hold the peace. Now the 4 grandkids ages 6, 8, 10 and 10 1/2 can sit side by side with not too much monkey business. I am blessed–and RICH!
Thanks, once again, for the reminder.
What fun to watch the little ones grow and become independent…and even remarkably well-behaved! They must have very good role models!
Observing nature in all her glory, from little birds chirping in the morning to big, bold sunsets at night; the fruit of the vine for celebrations with family & friends; the warmth of supportive & encouraging people; shelter overhead; food for the body & the soul; good books to languish away a lazy afternoon. These are a few of my favorite things!
Mine too, Diane!
Grateful to you Dorothy to read what I feel deep inside. Thank you for sharing by writing and inspiring all of us. Thank you for being in my life!
Waking up in the morning is first. Visiting with my family, talking on the phone with a friend and exchanging sincere “I love you s” at the end of our conversation. The sweet smell of a baby. Sitting on my porch and marveling at the blueness of the clear sky. Walking barefoot on spring grass that has been kissed by the sun. Being into a book and reading until my eyes say put it down already. Working on one of my writing projects and being glad that my computer is behaving itself.
These are a few of my favorite things.
I would love living in your world! There is nothing better than “the sweet smell of a baby”! or walking barefoot in the grass. I can’t remember the last time I did either of those things! They’re going on my bucket list right now.
Thanks Dorothy. Have you tried any of the recipes in my cookbook as yet?
One of the great joys of aging is the realization that more “things” won’t make you happy. The less meaningless stuff I have cluttering up my life, the happier I am. Now if I can just find time to clear out that storage locker I rented the last time I moved, I’ll have a big load off my shoulders AND a little cash in my pocket!
I share your happiness over a new box of crayons. That’s one of the things that has always made me happy—from early childhood to today, there is nothing like the exhilaration I get from a new box (and I positively swoon at the 64-count)!