Contentment makes poor men rich; discontentment makes rich men poor.
—Benjamin Franklin

Again, wise words from a wise man ^[2].

Is there an easy path to riches? No. But there is an easy path to wealth. Contentment. Real wealth is not wrapped up in things ^[3], rather it’s wrapped up in how you view yourself ^[4] and your situation.

A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson. He said, “I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, discontented one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate, happy and contented one.” The grandson asked him, “Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?” The grandfather answered: “The one I feed.”

I choose to feed contentment. Contentment doesn’t mean you lie down, roll over, and whatever happens, happens. What contentment means to me is an end to the doubt that I’m coming up short, that I don’t measure up, that I have to compare myself to the homes, cars, riches, and things owned by others.

It doesn’t mean I live in a dump, eat crummy food, and drive a bucket-o-bolts ^[5]. It means I get to live life on my own terms, whatever terms I choose, not the Joneses. Contentment means I’m the one who decides how much money is enough, not some financial adviser who’s driving a BMW, living in a McMansion financed with an interest only mortgage ^[6] and is in debt up to his eyeballs.

Is there a path to “Easy Money?” No, but the path to a wealthy mindset begins with contentment, a deep seated peaceful contentment. That’s what I’m talking about.

[tags]content, contentment, terms, riches, path, money, easy[/tags]

About the author

Ron has written 1082 articles on The Wisdom Journal.

The founder and editor of The Wisdom Journal ^[7] in 2007, Ron has worked in banking, distribution, retail, and upper management for companies ranging in size from small startups to multi-billion dollar corporations. He graduated Suma Cum Laude from a top MBA program and currently is a partner in a national building materials company.

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