WEALTH Reconsidered

We live in a world seemingly too often times caught up with celebrity, fame and fortune. Far too often, we consider these consciously or unconsciously as measurements of "success". If we are not experiencing such ourselves, so many of us "admire" or have interest in those that do. And yet, several mentors of mine over the years (my father included) have either directly or indirectly taught me that "we all go to the bathroom".

I say this to offer up a relatively short message and thought on reconsidering WEALTH.

I have long suggested that WEALTH is When Excellence and Love Take Hold. When we do what we Love and Love what we do... we bring our best because we do. When we are closer to the heart, we experience a wealth and richness beyond simple cliché.

This is not about Panacea. Loving what we do is about bringing our best to same; and it becomes a joyful Excellence that forges both Endurance and Enthusiasm alike... doing what we do best and enjoying the ride, through challenges and opportunities, through trails, trials and triumphs.

When I wrote Leading: Pandan Style, I had some of this in mind and heart too, me thinks.

Now some might pass this off as simply cliché or being na?ve. To each their own. 62 years on the planet and I unapologetically but respectfully hold to the idea that our "distinction lieth not in ornaments or wealth, but rather in virtuous behaviour and true understanding" (Bahá’u’lláh). All that means to me is that what we bring to the table defines the table. Our motives matter. Our contribution matters. Character,?Purpose?and?Unity (within, aka Congruence)... matter. If we want to play in the Infinite Game, we best need our own best sense of Just Cause... that to which we choose to bring Excellence and Love.

LP Jacks said...

• "A master in the art of living draws no sharp distinction between his work and his play; his labor and his leisure; his mind and his body; his education and his recreation. He hardly knows which is which. He simply pursues his vision of excellence through whatever he is doing, and leaves others to determine whether he is working or playing. To himself, he always appears to be doing both."

Frederick Buechner said...

• "Vocation is the place where our deep gladness meets the world's deep need.”

And there is a Congruence of Excellence and Love. As I craft ever greater Clarity on what matters most to me...

... as I establish my new lean LIFE/work Plan...

... I think both Jacks and Beuchner speak to a better sense of WEALTH. And our own sense of Peace, I might add; another element of a deeper, cooler wealth.

This does not deny a seeking of material wealth, but it does speak and stand in the face of greed, and the unhealthy lifting up of celebrity, fame and fortune as the measurements of "success". That said, just my two cents, but I value them all the same. I humbly suggest and contend that we find that which we desire to bring Excellence and Love, and see where that takes us. As I take in my modest home, inside and out, I am reminded...

... when Excellence and Love take hold, mmmmmm.

Peace, passion, purpose and prosperity...

Barry Lewis Green, The Unity Guy with Epic Engage.

Me?on LinkedIn

CHECK OUT

• The Character LENS to Lead
• A Little Tribute to Panda
• Developing Leadership Character – Ivey Business Journal

• TUGtv
• The Global Goals
• The Virtues Project

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• You?are an Activant … an Educator, Entrepreneur or Emerging Leader who is looking to make constructive change happen, on the ground, real-world, real-time. You are world-embracing and noble-hearted. You seek to mobilize a strong, united and character-driven team to change the world or your corner of it. You want to lead, inspire, educate and unite in doing so.?Let’s go build a better world!

I?am an Activant too; an Educator and Entrepreneur by experience, education and?Enthusiasm... with 40 years in leadership training and development, 27 years in business college education and 20 years certified and associated with?The Virtues Project. Additionally certified for 16 years in Temperament Assessment and with a longstanding body of work around Character Leadership, I help advance?conversation, consultation and capacity around?Character,?Purpose?and?Unity...?and?the?global goals. My work in business and education is to help those building a better world at school, work, business and community; locally and globally.?Humans together, strong.... that is?my?meaning... and?the space I can stay forever. To that?just cause, I commit.