In my book, The Best Is Yet to Be, a number of “mountains of midlife” are identified. One relates to finances.
Midlifers are having to delay retirement due to the economic realities that started with the crash of 2008. 401K accounts took a huge hit and companies downsized leaving large numbers of boomers looking for employment. Many haven’t recovered and doubt they will be able to match the retirement level of their aging parents.
What should be our attitude about finances if we are confronted by this reality? What is true wealth?
This point was brought home to me in a recent conversation I had with my friend Chris. He’s had to deal with 4 types of cancer and severe health issues. A sarcoma on his left shin required the amputation of his left leg above the knee. As we shared coffee together, he came in on crutches choosing them over trying to use a prosthesis.
He talked about having prostate cancer and underwent surgery to remove it. Then he had skin cancer on his face which was cut away. The last cancer was lymphoma. He described it as slow growing which could be managed with a regimen of medication and diet.
His faced brightened when he started talking about his grandchildren.
He told about spending time with them at Lacy Park located in the wealthy southern California community of San Marino. His trip to the park brought him through neighborhoods filled with mansions. By contrast, Chris rents a small two bedroom home in another community. He and his wife share one bedroom, his elderly mother uses the other, and one of his daughters sleeps in the living room on a sofa bed.
At the park, he gazed into the eyes of one of his grandsons and stated he was more wealthy than everyone else in that upscale community. Nothing could equal the value of those grandchildren, being a father to his children, a husband to his wife and being able to help his mother in her senior years.
His definition of true wealth was much different from how most people would define it. He as still trying to be financially wise, but kept what was truly valuable in its proper place.
His attitude toward true wealth is a great example and reminder to us.
It has the potential of moving us from fear over finances to seeing how wealthy we truly are!
What do you think about Chris’s idea of true wealth?
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