A few months ago, I found myself sitting with a group of activists, all of us seeking to effect positive changes in our world. By way of introducing ourselves, we talked a about our interests and aspirations. When it came to me, I said that I love wealth. At which point, an uncomfortable silence settled over the group. The others shifted in their chairs. Wealth was not OK. I was in the wrong group.
What does "wealth" mean for you? Are you clear about your priorities, and what is important for you? Are you having to make adjustments to your spending in these times of uncertainty?
The three pillars of corporate governance are: accountability, transparency and probity or integrity. These values are considered vital for building and maintaining healthy relationships with employees, customers and stakeholders. Many times, I am sure you could point an accusing finger at organizations, institutions or corporations who are weak in any of these areas.
However, those qualities are equally of value to you as an individual. Not for the sake of appearing pious or self-righteous, but as a solid foundation in all relationships.
If you were to take money out of the wealth equation and look at your wealth in a broader way, you could see how rich you are, regardless of money in the bank, your income and how you spend it. Your human wealth is considerable, and increases with age.
Consider your wealth now in the light of:
1. What you have achieved in your life so far?
You may not have won great prizes or seen yourself in the hall of fame. But perhaps you are successfully raising a family. Just getting through the day sometimes is considerable. Which of your achievements have given you most pleasure and satisfaction?
2. What are your personal assets?
What are the qualities that make you special and unique? For example, your sense of humor, compassion, empathy, generosity, curiosity, courage.
3. Who are your people assets?
The family and friends you love, and who love you; colleagues at work who appreciate your being part of their team; your boss who values the contribution that you make; the neighbor who is there for you when you need assistance; the shop assistant who always has a kind word for you.
4. What are the talents and skills you have learned or developed so far?
Think about the basics of being able to read, write, use a computer, ride a bicycle, drive a car, cook, communicate, play sports. What about the skills you have learned in your work, or in your hobbies and leisure time interests? What unique talent do you love to use?
5. What have you gained through your life experience to date?
The sky is the limit here because all of your experiences will have given you something: a lesson to learn perhaps, new insights and awareness about yourself and your world, new understanding about your purpose in life.
6. What are your dreams and aspirations?
Knowing what you want and having the courage to go for it will draw forth from you greater strengths, qualities and more of your human wealth than had you stayed home and let your hopes fade into obscurity,
If accountability, transparency and probity or integrity are the pillars of corporate governance, the foundation is human value. Whether you are looking at an organization, or yourself as an individual, those qualities apply in building a rewarding and happy life. Corporate governance is a case of enlightened self-interest because it serves all parties.
Look at this way. Are you accountable for your wealth? Have you taken stock recently of your achievements, skills, talents, personal assets and life experiences? Are you accountable to your commitments, aspirations and dreams?
Are you transparent or clear to yourself about your priorities and values, and have you communicated them to those who are important for you?
Are you being true to yourself with integrity, at one with who you are, happy and at peace with yourself in the world? Do you truly value the special and unique human spirit that you are?
For all of your material wealth, which is considerable when seen in the light of how many of our fellow humans are living, you may miss something of the simple wealth of human community.
WATCH:
Money is innocent. The emotions around it are complex. How we manage ourselves is where wealth comes in, not just in financial terms, but in how we relate to our core human value. That is where we each of us count.
For a lighter look at money, Monty Python offers this view:
For more information about corporate governance read: Thin on Top: Why Corporate Governance Matters and How to Measure and Improve Board Performance by Bob Garratt.
Which of your talents do you most appreciate? How do you best nurture and enrich yourself? How does wealth feature in your life? I would love to hear from you.
Please feel free to leave a comment below, or contact me at anne@annenaylor.com

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I think it's possible "to take money out of the wealth equation" as long as one has enough money to live on without having to worry about paying the bills and losing their house if they don't make the next mortgage payment. I'm afraid the sort of self-helpy advice you offer is valuable only for those who have the luxury to contemplate their navels while enough money to cover themselves and their family somehow manages to reach them each month. Otherwise, most people's attention is, and unfortunately must necessarily (if they obey the accountability commandment you mention) be, on the very money you encourage them to transcend.
Much love,
Cara
Thanks Anne!
I like your perspective on wealth and money. My real wealth are my friends and family. Without love in my life nothing would have value. That doesn't mean I don't respect the power associated with money both as an evil tool or a venue by which good can be accomplished. On a personal level, having set myself up so I can spend my time as I see fit rather than working for a boss has great value for me. I have other friends who've retired and get lost in all of their free time. For me it's a reward and opportunity to have another career. The next one doesn't have to pay well, it just has to be a pleasure.
with love,
little brother
How do you best nurture and enrich yourself? Through solitude and communing with all that is
How does wealth feature in your life? Love - it rules my world and it makes it so much easier to understand and eventually wash away the shite from all the people do and say.
Do you know it was so effortless to respond to your 6 questions. Ha! I wouldn't have been able to do it 6 months ago. I awoke with the thought this morning that "love rules my world" and I find your post when I hop onto HuffPost.
Great week to you dear lady. LUV this post.
Catherine
You are a joy and love. I mean that deeply!
The greatest wealth is within us all! i only hope all people realize this!
For me having Deb in my life is a blessing. Having true friends makes life bearable in difficult times.
You ask:
Which of your talents do you most appreciate? To be a good teacher.
How do you best nurture and enrich yourself? Meditate ..
How does wealth feature in your life? Inner wealth is real wealth - and having the things in life that
keep it all going! Living the best life is great wealth and that means a life of health and love.
In kindness - Ed
You are kindness - always good to read your sweet words
You are the blessing.
With loving to you and Deb,
Anne
I appreciate your comment. We have so much more going for us than I think we fully appreciate.
With love to you,
Anne
Seems like things are pretty slow on the HP this weekend, given the 4th of July holiday. But I am intrigued that you and I are following such a similar path in our writing. My current series of articles on the soul of things will include a post on the soul and money in a couple of weeks. I found your article very informative and so on point regarding what true wealth is.
Love the videos too! Where do you find this stuff?
I feel extremely wealthy in my relationships, including the ones here on the Living page. I wrote my first post here almost exactly two years ago. The experience of interacting here weekly with readers from all over the world has expanded my cup and filled it to running over. For this and so much more, I am extremely grateful. Gratitude, I believe, is an important key to experiencing the wealth to be found right in the moment.
One cannot answer your 5 questions without walking away with a new appreciation for the wealth they already possess.
Thanks again dear Anne,
Judith
The joy of the soul that you are is ever-present! I so agree with you about gratitude, and I look forward to reading your soul series on money.
I track down the videos sometimes through a YouTube subscription, or scanning a theme into YouTube and see what shows up. Sometimes they get sent to me!
The HP community is very rich and rewarding. I too value those who come back and share their views with us.
Wishing you many lovely soul moments this coming week!
Huge love to you,
Anne
Appreciating our treasures is to receive more of the blessings!
With love and blessings to you,
Anne