“He is a poor man whose only wealth is Money” – Anonymous

I came across this profound quote on the internet a couple days ago and it made me wonder a lot about wealth.  Anything that has Value, either tangible or intangible, should come under the category of wealth. The value of wealth is in its ability to bring happiness. Just money alone as wealth brings us comfort but seldom real happiness. So what is missing in our understanding of wealth?

In Indian traditions, wealth is categorized into eight forms (Ashtaishwarya). Each form of wealth presided over by a form of the divine Mother Lakshmi ( Ashta- Lakshmi).

When defined broadly both in terms of tangibles like money, gold, property etc.,  and intangibles like knowledge, courage, friendships etc., real wealth is more an Ashtaishwarya, a diversified form of everything that is valuable to our lives. Money being only one of them. This Ashtaishwarya is the wealth that brings happiness. When narrowly defined as money alone, it most often than not destroys other forms of wealth, especially relationships, peace,  health and well-being. We have seen happy people destroy all their other wealth i.e., character, health, realtionships, for the singular pursuit of money. Let us all take time to recognize the richness we may already possess but hardly notice! Let us not impoverish our lives by narrowly defining wealth as money alone and blinding ourselves to all other wealth that is even more valuable. Let us pursue wealth in all its eight forms so that we can make our lives truly rich. Who says wealth cannot bring  happiness….ofcourse it can,  just don’t define it narrowly as money alone. Wake up and notice!!