Everyone desires to be rich, but not everyone knows what constitutes enduring riches, and most people believe riches consist only of material things that money can buy. Here is a list of the twelve things which constitute real riches:
1. A positive mental attitude. Observe that it heads the list.
2. Sound physical health.
3. Harmony in human relations.
4. Freedom from fear.
5. The hope of future achievement.
6. The capacity for applied faith.
7. Willingness to share one’s blessings with others.
8. Engagement in a labor of love.
9. An open mind on all subjects toward all people.
10. Complete self-discipline.
11. Wisdom with which to understand people.
12. Financial security. Observe, if you will, with great benefit the fact that money comes at the end of the list of the twelve things that make men rich.
A positive mental attitude is the starting point of all riches, whether they be riches of the material nature or intangible riches. It attracts the riches of true friendship and the riches one finds in the hope of future achievement. It provides the riches one may find in nature’s handiwork as it exists in the moonlit night, in the stars that float in the heavens, in the beautiful landscapes, and in distant horizons; and the riches to be found in the labor of one’s choice where expression may be given to the highest plane of man’s soul; and the riches of harmony in home relationships where all members of the family work together in a spirit of friendly cooperation; and the riches of sound physical health which is the treasure of those who have learned to balance work with play, worship with love, and who have learned the wisdom of eating to live rather than of living to eat; and the riches of freedom from fear; and the riches of enthusiasm, both active and passive; and the riches of song and laughter, both of which indicate states of mind; and the riches of self-discipline, through which one may have the joy of knowing that the mind can and will serve any desired end if one will take possession and command it through definiteness of purpose.
Our mind is the only thing we can control. Either we control it, or we relinquish control and we drift. We can do something about any situation. We cannot not do anything. Being negative is doing something. To govern your life, you must learn to govern your attitude. How we react is determined by our habits of mind control and our attitudes. Are you looking for positive avenues to success? Then a positive mental attitude will divert you to the positive side of the street.