So many of the books we read in today’s day and age paint success with $$ alone.
I’m reading a book right now that tells story after story after story of monetary success and while the stories are certainly inspiring – I can’t help but feel there’s something missing as I flip through the pages.
If life has a purpose – and success is aligned with meeting or fulfilling that purpose – then there must be more to the story of success than how much money has been piled up in a bank account.
As you may know, my grandmother recently made her transition from this life to the next.
2 days before she passed on, my family and I went in for a visit.
While there, we realized that for whatever reason, my grandma was going to be alone in the hospital.
Both my wife and I immediately recognized that I should stay with her.
Even though it was my wife’s birthday, she took the kid’s and went home to her party, and I stayed with grandma.
I played some of her favorite music, talked with her and held her hand and hands from time to time.
I remember thinking to myself when it comes time for me to make my transition – I would sure hope I had someone I love, there by my side, and I would also hope that the environment was one of peace.
The very least I could do is try to provide some of that for my grandma.
Long story short, I was able to spend some very precious hours of the last 2 days before my grandmother left this earth, there by her side.
Those moments are priceless to me, and I know I’ll treasure them for the rest of my days.
I knew deep inside, that there was nowhere else I was supposed to be – other than there, right there by my grandma’s side.
As much as I value success and freedom (of which money certainly plays a huge role) – I find it hard to compare that decision to spend those precious moments with someone who had given me so much, during a time when she may have needed me most – to how much money I have in my bank account.
It’s stories like this that help me to remember the essence of what Napoleon Hill was trying to teach when he said..
“Remember that your real wealth can be measured, not by what you have, but by what you are.”
