Wealth

What makes you happy?  For many, the road to happiness is paved with money.  I think we all know that money can’t buy happiness, but it sure does make it easier to relax. 

Before I retired to Mexico at the beginning of 2011, I struggled with the fact that I was going to be living on what my ex-wife didn’t “appropriate” of my military retirement.  It wasn’t much.  Mexico is still a pretty good deal, and I was going to be working for my room at Terry’s ranch in Manzanillo.    That helped, but you still have to buy food and essentials, not to mention saving for air fare to come and go if needed.  But, I did it.  Of course, I was debt free. 

I was amazed at how little I actually needed to be comfortable.  It is a change of mindset that entertainment can change as you get older.  For me, I finally found the time to write a novel.  I found that I loved to write.  I finished 500 pages later and began a second.  I also discovered money wasn’t necessary to my happiness.  It is necessary to my survival, yes, but not to being happy.

What made me feel complete was creating a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe as a gift to Terry.  It was located as you come into the ranch parking area and head toward the rooms and the stairs to the pool.  I was very proud when several older women would break off from their family to walk over to the shrine, cross themselves and say a short prayer, or light a candle.  I knew I'd done good!

When I was called out of retirement to work on the Country Club project back in Olympia, I agreed to do it for a fair wage.  I knew in my heart, though, that I didn’t need the job.  I would be just as happy lying in that hammock around the pool at the ranch, finishing the second novel.  I do what I do because I want to.  I work now because it makes me happy and I’m having fun, not because I have to.  I don’t need the money.

I’m wealthy, rich beyond my wildest dreams of just a few years ago.  I have my health, my children, my grandchildren, my parents, family and friends.  This is wealth that money just can’t provide.

What makes you happy?