Re-Evaluating Wealth

I am an overwhelmingly wealthy person, yet I drive a used car, shop sales, and even dabble in couponing. My interpretation of wealth may be much different than yours,though. 

Growing up, I was very lucky to be able to go on family vacations every summer. One year, we went to Madrid, and it was a life changing experience. We were there only a short time, (we went to the Canary Islands after), but I remember falling head over heels in love with the culture, attitudes, and lifestyle.  In America, your happiness is based around your job, your status, your income. By America's standards,I am nothing...no one. But in Spain, your life is more focused on your friends and family, with true wealth being the relationships you have and if you're living a full, adventurous life. 

 I would always joke with my mom that I just wanted to grow up, own a snow cone stand on the beach,and just write. I'd surround myself with great friends and family, writing, drinking lots of wine, and ongoing lots of sunsets....I wonder what my life would be like if I would've done it.

I have never been one to define my life by my job title, or my success by my bank account. Doing things that I love, using my creativity daily, and being surrounded by people I love and that love me...that makes me the happiest, wealthiest woman in the world. 

Love Bank

Gratitude is a thing of the past. It seems like people tend to focus on the 3 or 4 bad parts of the day,and letting those things mold your image of the day, rather than focusing on the good. Call me an eternal optimist, but there are hundreds of great things that happen to each of us daily that I bet go unnoticed. 

I am grateful for every morning that I am alive....grateful to wake up with my health, in a safe comfortable bed, with my family I've built around me. And that's just when I open my eyes! My stomach has hurt all day,and I'm pretty sure I have a sinus infection...but those things won't define my day. The magnificent weather, great unexpected conversations, and relaxing nature will be how I define today.

It amazes me how quickly people let bad things affect them.God doesn't ever give us more than we can handle,and everything is a lesson. Every heartbreak, every disappointment, and every broken road should be given gratitude because without them you wouldn't be where you are today, you wouldn't be on the road to where you're going...you wouldn't be alive.

So make yourself a love bank. Deposit lots and lots of great moments from each and every day. That way,when bad moments,situations,or days happen,you have a million reasons to continue to smile. What are you grateful  for today?