When you hear the word wealth, does it bring to mind images of enormous bank balances and luxurious lifestyles?

Well, I am here to tell you that there's so much more to wealth than just monetary abundance.

In fact, it's possible to have all the money in the world but still be utterly impoverished in the parts of your life that truly matter.

In the domain of finance and investment, wealth is often reduced to a simplistic measure of monetary value. The larger the bank balance, the wealthier you are, right?

It’s time to change this narrative.

Wealth is a multi-dimensional state of being that extends far beyond hoarding money.

Let's dive deeper than the superficial definition of wealth and uncover an unconventional, deeper meaning. I’m talking about T.R.U.E. Wealth - an acronym that breaks down the real components of a truly prosperous life.‍

T = TIME  

The real measure of wealth is not how much money you have, but how much control you have over your time. 

TRUE wealth comes from the ability to choose how to spend your time, focusing your most precious and irreplaceable resource (time) on meaningful and rewarding activities. This level of wealth comes from rethinking the 9-to-5 paradigm and investing in experiences, personal growth, and moments that will genuinely make your life worthwhile.

Time is the foundation of TRUE Wealth.

It underpins the philosophy of 'being over having'.

Wealth of time gives you control over your own life narrative, choosing how to spend the countdown of the ticking clock on endeavors that hold intrinsic value and evoke pure joy - for you!    

• Live a life free from the relentless pursuit of work-for-money routines that sap the joy out of existence? Wealthy.  

• Spend countless hours on meaningful and mission-oriented activities that invigorate your spirit and spark your passion? Wealthy.    

‍Wealth, in its purest form, is an abundant reservoir of time that you can harness to bring more joy into your life.

‍R = RELATIONSHIPS  

The strength of your connections creates another form of TRUE Wealth - a wealth that transcends purchasing power.

Rich, nourishing relationships stimulate growth, encourage a healthy exchange of ideas, and build a crucial support system.

The right connections propel you toward becoming a better version of yourself.

Meaningful relationships offer lessons of great value and ensure unwavering support in the face of adversity.    

People believe money provides security, but when money loses value, relationships make you resilient.

Your most valuable investments are not in the form of stocks and real estate, but in the relationships you build over the years. TRUE Wealth manifests through enriching relationships and a community of shared interdependence.

If the entire world economy collapses, no fortune will be worth more than a strong network of allies and friends. 

‍U = UPWARD TRAJECTORY  

Earning a hefty salary alone does not constitute TRUE Wealth.

Wealth comes as the opportunity to fulfill your potential and ascend to new heights.

It's about not settling for a professional role that simply fattens the paycheck but drains your spirit. It's about embarking on a path that ignites your passion, that creates a tangible difference in the world.

The essence of wealth is the acceleration of your own personal growth.

You can’t be truly wealthy unless you have the ability to explore new and exciting possibilities, never getting trapped in a cycle of meaningless pursuits.  

Making money is important, but feeling stuck in a meaningless job is not indicative of TRUE Wealth. Even the most lucrative job becomes a prison if it offers no opportunity to learn, grow, and fulfill your potential.

TRUE Wealth means staying on an upward trajectory, not just in financial terms, but also in your sense of satisfaction with your own accomplishments and your growing fulfillment in your life’s work.

To test whether you feel like you are on an upward trajectory, do NOT compare yourself to yesterday or even last month. Compare yourself with where you were a year, three years, or five years ago.

Are you happy with who you are today when you make that comparison?

If so, that’s great, you are on an upward trajectory!

If not, that’s okay, just start setting some personal growth goals so that, when you look back a year from now, you’ll be happy with how you’ve grown and who you’ve become!

Need a refresher on how to set impactful goals? Read From Goals to Greatness.

‍‍E = ENERGY  

Energy – the life force within you – is TRUE Wealth.

Every time you work for money, you expend your energy. Every time you spend money, you're essentially exchanging your energy for someone else's.

Wealthy individuals have an abundance of energy - both physical and financial.

If you're investing your energy into endeavors that drain you, it diminishes your TRUE Wealth.

By channeling your focus toward pursuits that excite you with a sense of passion and purpose, you increase your potential return on the investment of your precious energy.

Understanding where your energy is flowing ensures that you steer this vital life force into actions that hold meaning and that give the highest returns, personally, professionally, and financially. The goal for TRUE Wealth is to have a surplus of energy that can be directed however you choose, and that will return to you in ways that enrich your life at the deepest levels.

It's also essential to focus your energy on giving without the expectation of receiving anything in return.

That doesn't necessarily mean philanthropy, volunteering, or donating money - although these are all great options.

Consider helping someone in your circle with a problem or challenge they are facing, without charging them money. When directed in this way, your energy will compound and return back to you through the mysterious law of karma, sometimes as money, sometimes as reciprocation or new relationships, and often in some other unexpected but valuable way.

If you are feeling philanthropic, consider making a donation to the Helping Music Foundation 💙

If you want more TRUE Wealth, bring more awareness into how you are directing your money and energy. Show gratitude for what you have, and find ways to let it flow toward where it appreciates in value.

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR T.R.U.E. WEALTH

Remember, ‍T.R.U.E. stands for TIME, RELATIONSHIPS, UPWARD TRAJECTORY, and ENERGY.  

The true essence of wealth is not about money.

TRUE Wealth isn't a race against others; it's not determined by your bank balance, or your possessions.

TRUE Wealth is a deeply personal journey.

It means taking control and ownership of your time, enriching your life with the right relationships, staying on an upward trajectory that inspires you to keep growing, and directing your energy towards pursuits that yield the highest return.

This kind of wealth is recession-proof, pandemic-proof, and indeed, life-proof.

Let's continue to challenge the conventional, one-dimensional view of wealth. Embrace this holistic notion of wealth and unlock a life of unbounded potential and fulfillment.

Start focusing on the four dimensions of your TRUE Wealth today and watch as your life transforms, not just in your bank account, but in all aspects of your life.

P.S. If you like this post and want more inspiration to live a healthy, vibrant, and happy life, be sure to subscribe to the Ayurveda Life Design newsletter that I publish with my partner, Mary Marie ✍️