If you were given a choice: being able to live in poverty or die with wealth? which would you choose? While one finds happiness, the other suffers a painful death. Is it wealth that brings happiness? or is it happiness that brings wealth?

This is actually a trick question and can go either way, depending on the question. At first glance we assume poverty means monetary wealth and rich as the opposing. Assuming this, we shall answer the question…

The story of rich man/ poor man.

I met a ‘man of poverty,’ who had nothing but always a smile. He lived off of Social Security, had coffee in the am, rolled his own cigarettes and drank beer at nighttime. His life was pretty simple, but he was far from living in misery. According to the national average, he was living below poverty level. That did not matter to him…as he had everything he needed.

His neighbor, however, was always blaming people for living in poverty. It was not this person’s fault, but it was everyone else’s fault. Entitlement attitude at its finest! This neighbor chose to work, but complained when he could not have the luxuries his neighbors had, thereby tempting him to steal or cheat.

Then one day…both were given a million dollars. While one squandered it away, the other lived happily every after. Which person lived happily ever after? The neighbor took his money and spent every last dime, until he was left once again in misery. Seeing his misery, the ‘man of poverty’ gave the neighbor half of his money. Not needing anything more than His smokes, coffee and beer. His life was pretty simple and allowed him to give freely of his riches. Living in poverty mentality, the neighbor needed more, spent more and lived beyond his means.

Seeing the ‘man of poverty’ basking in pure bliss, the neighbor overwhelmed with want. The neighbor wanted what ever the ‘man of poverty’ had. So the neighbor asked him what it was that made him so happy and where could he get it? He was willing to pay every last dime, once again, to get it. Smiling at the neighbor, ‘the man of poverty’ explains, “you cannot by this happiness, it is merely accepted by the self. Whether rich or poor in monetary standards, you remain rich beyond belief. It cannot be bought, it cannot be given…it must be found by the self.”

Whether an individual is rich or poor, they can have sadness or gladness. The man of poverty was rich, but not a dime to his name. The man of wealth, squandered everything and never found happiness. Happiness is not reserved for the rich or poor, but accepted by everyone. The key to happiness is just accepting no matter what is thrown our way.

Stepping into the Canvas filthy rich. To have true wealth, matters not on how much money is earned, but how much love and compassion is in the heart. One could be rich or poor in monetary value, but rich in spirit. While rich in spirit, we find happiness regardless of income levels. True happiness is not found in the pocket-book, but within the heart.

Rich or poor…same story. If one does not accept happiness…they will always be begging for something else…