It’s a beautiful day here in Portland.
The sun is shining. The camellia and magnolia are in bloom. The cherries are resplendent in white and pink. The birds and squirrels frolic in the yard while the cats watch from afar. A hummingbird is flitting among the flowering quince. The air is filled with the scent of fresh-mown grass. A neighbor is blaring classic rock while he works on his car. Kris is at the picnic table reading a book. I am on the back porch answering e-mail. This evening we will join some friends at a dinner party.
I cannot wish for more in life.
Days like this are a reminder that true wealth is not about money. True wealth comes from happiness, from approaching the world with open eyes and an open mind, from learning to love what you have.
Be well, my friends, be well.
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Hooray for that!
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Ah, you remind me of the teachings of Terry Cole Whittaker. I remember when I first moved to Los Angeles in the early 1980s, she was a popular TV preacher with an unconventional message, “Prosperity is your Divine Right.” Of course people totally missed the point, and it was common to see bumper stickers on Mercedes bearing that slogan. The emerging Yuppie class was accused of misinterpreting the message, of believing that god intended for them to be greedy.
But Terry Cole had an interesting message, if you listened closely. She said that there were people with tons of money who were dissatisfied, and poor people who were happy with what they had. Wealth is not prosperity. Being prosperous means having more than you need, and being happy with what you have. Not everyone can be wealthy, but everyone can be prosperous.
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This is one of the topics I intended to explore when I first started this site, but I’ve never found time to focus on. I wrote about it once last spring: 10 steps to greater happiness. I think what’s holding me back is that I want to do a full-on essay about the subject, and that means extended research and a long writing process. Maybe once I start doing this full-time?
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I was just thinking this! Today’s weather is awesome, our dog got an extra-long walk already. I think after moving to Portland I now appreciate a nice day so much more than when I lived in the Bay Area.
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My wife and I went for a walk along Waterfront Park today. It was about 63 degrees and bright sunshine.
What an amazing day.
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Today is a very good day.
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So Portland is who stole Seattle’s lovely weather and left us with rain. Enjoy it! =)
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Grats J.D.,
Aren’t those moments just wonderful? I crave for the times where one looks around, takes a deep breath, and says, “I want nothing more.”
Great post, J.D.
Thanks,
Jonathan Cisco
http://www.dreamingnz.com
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I wish it were nice today here in Philly BUT I agree, having 4 seasons makes you appreciate the nice weather so much. I wouldn’t change it for the world!
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Amen, brother!
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My wife and I just got back from a camping trip in the Ozark Mountains. Hiking the beautiful trails and sitting by the fire next to the person I love made me realize how wealthy I am. Great post, JD.
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I moved to Portland almost five years ago now. I love it here and I agree, you have to stop and appreciate what you have, the people you share it with, and the world around you. I live in a small apartment, but from my computer I can see Mount Hood in the distance. Always brings a smile to my face.
Barbara
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We are having a beautiful weekend here too in the Mile High City (Denver). I noticed today that the bushes are starting to send out their spring leaves. Ahh — spring I’ve longed for you so.
DB
http://www.debtblitzkrieg.com
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We had a huge winter storm here in the North East over the weekend. I live in Cambridge, MA in a tiny one bedroom basement apartment. Much to my surprise Saturday morning when the storm was over and everything was rapidly melting, I woke up to realize I had 3 inches of water in my entire apartment! After about an hour of crying and the landlord pumping me out all morning, I sat back and looked at the clean up job in front of me and the first thing that came to mind is “I have my health!” I stopped crying, rolled my sleeves up and started working on it. Not how I planned my weekend, but even when things are bad in life and it throws you a curve ball, I try to look at the positives. You have to or else you’ll go insane!
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That sounds positively lovely, J.D.!
@Anne-Marie: Oh no!
We had a lot of snow a little ways north of you in NH, but not the intense melting. Best of luck on getting everything straightened out.
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[...] The Secret of Wealth and Happiness Possibly not what you’d expect from the title, this is a short, but uplifting little post. [...]
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All the money in the world would mean nothing if you’re not happy. Thanks for the post. It’s nice to know that people still know the right priorities in this increasingly hectic life we have.
You may find this link interesting, since it encapsulates your thoughts. Basically it’s author, Tim Ferriss, espouses to know what you really want in life, calculate how much it costs, and then set up a framework which can support your new lifestyle:
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com
Your advice on finances comes in handy in relation to the ideas stated in the book. It’s coming out today and I’m yet to read it but I found a review by David Seah (davidseah.com) that’s very well-detailed.
Cheers, and more power to your blog
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Good post, J.D. As many times as I have thought that it sure would be nice to have money and not put in 9-10 hour days, I then wonder how much time would I spend keeping and growing financial wealth?
Thanks for keeping our feet on the ground and reminding us of important things in life. And here in Gainesville, FL, we have been having lows in the 50s and highs in the low 80s. And need rain BAD….so, if Portland can spare some, send it down here! LOL!!
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