Finding True Riches in the Least Likely Places

I read recently that Mark Zuckerburg, founder of Facebook, only wears T-shirts and jeans most of the time. And I suppose when you're that successful you can wear whatever you want.  Nonetheless, it's kind of interesting that this billionaire goes around looking like some average college student. You would never know how rich he is by his clothing choices.

But more importantly I wonder if our children, especially here in America, know how rich they really are.  Sure, we may not have millions or billions in our bank accounts or stocks, but we truly are wealthy in so many ways. And it's vital that we remind one another at home of that.

For example, we're rich financially in comparison to the majority of the world. We often spend on one pair of shoes what much of the world earns in a week, month or year. We spend billions in this country on things that many people don't even know exist nor would they think matters like massages, make-up, sports memberships and television.

Secondly, we're rich because of our freedoms. Travel to many other foreign countries and you'll discover how monitored and regulated their worlds are. Many countries allow the police to stop you for no good reason or to keep you from saying anything negative about the government. Some places would never allow a church to be built or even meet.

Third, we're rich because of our opportunities. Yes, we're struggling a bit on the economic front but there are still myriad ways for people to succeed, expand their knowledge and live out a dream here.

Fourth, we're rich because of our faith in God.  Too many people have no purpose, meaning or hope in this life. Remind your kids often that God is a God of hope who placed us on this earth to do something that matters and makes a difference.

So whether you consider yourself wealthy or not, have the house or other possessions you've wanted, you really are rich. So think and live like it - even if you only wear T-shirts.

We All Need Great Role Models

To be honest, I'm pretty tired of the hypocrisy. It shows up everywhere but let me use Tim Tebow for an example. He tries to be moral (not perfect), he lives what he believes but doesn't shove it down our throats and he actually gives of his resources to help others in a way that's more than a photo op or publicity ploy.  Apparently he has invited a needy child or young person to every game, home or away, paid their travel, provided tickets and then spent time with them afterwards.

And still he gets skewered on many talk shows and made fun of online or SNL. But other athletes who literally change their names for religious reasons or who make every play all about them or whose personal lives are a disaster or a string of using other people for their own gain?  T
hey get a pass. In fact, they sometimes become more popular, applauded and listened to for their insights about life.

Ok, enough of my ranting. However, I'm wondering if enough people realize the impact a person who models goodness and character can have. I wonder if we sense the problem that continually putting people of questionable repute in the limelight can be in our culture.

Of course we've been doing this for years. Athletes, actors, politicians and famous business people of questionable reputation are regularly sought out for interviews, book deals, advice and the hosting of talk shows.  And that phenomenon probably isn't going to change.

But it can for us. We can and need to have people around us who influence us be people who are worth modeling, listening to and admiring. As we climb on our own challenging journey we must have people who prod us to take the high road, even the hard road, not the easy way that so many suggest we trod. I think of the Hollywood types who here and there give some money to a current cause and then have nothing to do with it a week later.

I'd love to see some of them suggest that they all agree to cancel one of their award shows and give the millions it takes to produce the show to one of their causes. That's harder. I'd love to seem some of them actually get involved in that cause for years, not days, and truly make a difference.

Those would be the kinds of people more worth following. And frankly, there are thousands more just like that, just like Tim Tebow, with whom we may disagree or agree with on faith, but who are still worth wanting to emulate in some way. More of them are probably not famous but live next door or down the street.

Nonetheless, the hoopla about Tebow could at least help us to remember what's really important in a person. Listen to the recent comments of ESPN commentator, Rick Reilly, regarding Tebow: "I'm a 100% believer. Not in his arm. Not in his skills. I believe in his heart."  Find more people around you whose heart is worth believing in. It will make all the difference in the world on your climb. It's those kind of people who will not only help change you but can impact others that you love.

‎