Thursday 20 May 2010

Real Prosperity

Yesterday I overheard a conversation taking place between two females. It could just as easily have been two males, but it happened to be two females. One was reading a magazine where you can follow the lives of “celebrities”. She was telling the other how in reality they were just people like you and me.


Indeed some of them are, all they are famous for, is being famous. They have achieved nothing else. Then I thought again. Yes they are just like me. I to get up n the morning and the maid have my breakfast ready. My hairdresser arrives to shave and groom me. I then have my time with my personal trainer, before I take a swim in my heated pool.

I have a very busy morning writing out the lists of all that has to be done for me that day.

They are people just like you and me. So why do I bother reading about their lives and antics?

Let you into a secret, I do not.

The master was approached by a very rich man one day. He wanted the master to write in his best calligraphy some words that his family could treasure. It had to be something that could be handed down through the generations. It was to be well framed and no expense spared in its preparation.

In his best hand the master wrote, “Father dies, son dies, grandson dies.” It was mounted and framed.

The rich man was furious. “I asked you to write something for the happiness of my family,” he said “why do you mock us so?”

The master looked at him and said, “No mockery intended. "If before you yourself die you son should die, this would grieve you greatly. If your grandson should pass away before your son, both of you would be broken-hearted. If your family, generation after generation, passes away in the order I have named, it will be the natural course of life. I call this real prosperity."

There are some things in life that no wealth can ever buy. I am so glad that I can stroll in the park at will and in freedom. All the money in the world would not be worth such joy.

This is the way of Tao.


Have you ever noticed that the ads on here are often an attempt by google to match my blog. Will be interesting to see what they consider real wealth.


This blog is linked to my other where I discuss the artwork:- Summer Rains in the Park

9 comments:

  1. You got a finance ad going here Ralph, talking about 'real wealth.' LOL I love the natural order of things. I hope and pray for just that in my own life. I don't know that I could take it otherwise.

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  2. what a great post, Ralph! I remember reading about a Harvard study that showed that a super-rich New York tycoon was no happier (and possibly less happy) than a Scottish caddy! I was truly shocked to read that (but it makes sense!) Unfortunately--Few people will ever "embrace" being middle class or poor because of what they are taught from cradle to grave. I took an online religious belief test once...and I came out as a Quaker! (I could not convert because they don't appreciate/approve of art).

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  3. p.s. Nice painting with this post.

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  4. Good morning, Ralph, I am alive and that is wealthy! More "stuff" is more to worry about.
    "Wealthy", I think, is wanting nothing. Then you don't need to find a place for it. If I could add good health to this, well that would be perfect!

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  5. We need to see and cherish the small things of life.

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  6. I too Ralph wouldn't know one 'celebrity' from another; are they like me? I don't know, nor desire to know.
    I visit the 'new' Canadian down the road in the morning and ask how he is doing with his studies to write his pharmacist degree in Canada; to ask how he is coping in our culture. I leave him smiling; and I am 'rich' indeed!
    There are many people who have made my life richer .... none of them had two pennies to rub together nor did they have 'fame' of any sort. They had a wealth of good advise, love, warmth, time for me and generous hearts. I'd take them to the bank any day and write their stories!

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  7. to quote Marcus Aurelius...."The only wealth which you will keep forever is that wealth which you have given away"

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  8. Reminds me of the parable about the old woman finding three old, grey bearded men sitting in her yard. She invited them in to have something to eat but they would not enter until her husband was home.
    When he arrived and she invited them she was told to go discuss with her husband which one could come as only one could accept the invitation; one was named Wealth, one Success and one Love.
    She asked her husband and she wanted to invite Wealth into her home.
    Her husband wanted to invited Success into their home because with success surely they would have Wealth.
    The daughter-in-law wanted to invite Love.
    They agreed on Love.
    When invited ….Wealth and Success followed Love. The woman was perplexed because she had been told only one could enter. Their reply was where Love is, Wealth and Success are sure to follow.

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  9. Ralph - this is beautiful and what I pray for. Thank you for the reminder.

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