WEALTH

EDITOR’S LETTER

5 THINGS THAT MAKE YOU POOR OTHER THAN A LACK OF MONEY

What do you think of when you hear the word poverty? Doubtless, thoughts about a lack of money come to mind. After all, people who speak of being impoverished usually mean they need more money. Poverty isn’t just about financial troubles, though. It comes in many guises. You could be poor for any of these reasons.

YOUR SELF-IMAGE STEMS FROM FINANCES

You might associate money with respectability and self-esteem. But thinking of it as your ticket to influence and contentment makes you poor. An admirable bank balance won’t change a weak self-image. Perceive wealth in terms of your inner qualities, and you need never be poor.

YOU HAVE NO PURPOSE

It’s possible to live without a purpose, but it will make you poor. When you have no goals, life has less meaning. You need only see how people with a reason to get up in the morning have a vital spark to realize it’s worth cultivating.

A purpose can motivate you and make your life richer, while a lack of meaning reduces your wealth and enthusiasm for living. Your purpose relates to your values and helps to increase motivation and energy. Uncover yours, and life will seem more valuable and pleasurable.

YOU REDUCE YOUR INNER POWER

Everybody can have personal power. When you stay in your comfort zone, not standing up for your principles to avoid conflict, you could imagine you are being kind and peaceful. Sometimes, you need to step out of your comfy place and take a stand, though.

YOU LACK PEACE OF MIND

Stress negatively affects your well-being. It can reduce your immunity and make you unhappy, so cultivate your peace of mind. When your life is stress-filled, it lacks calmness and you are not content. You can gain a wealth of tranquility by adopting mindfulness practices like meditation and yoga. Walking in the country or focusing on your movements as you wash the dishes are mindful practices, too. They instill peace and make it easier to cope with challenges. Chaos and stress reduce satisfaction. Only things that expand your well-being will build wealth.

YOU HANG ONTO NEGATIVITY

Hanging onto negativity strips you of a wealth of joy. It decreases your happiness and increases anxiety. Your quality of life drops when you harbor regrets about the past and fear of the future. Focusing on problems makes you poor because it stops you from celebrating what works.

Let go of negativity by knowing the past has gone and has no power over you. The future is unseeable, so your worries are make-believe, and your suffering will leave if you concentrate on the present moment. Release the need for your actions to produce specific outcomes and your wealth will rise too. If you want events to develop in ways you expect, you could face disappointment. Be curious about what might happen rather than strive for desired results.