I love being rich!

My guess is the previous sentence conjured up some sort of image or emotion inside you as you read it. You probably instantly thought about money. Isn’t it funny that a sentence of four words can bring up emotion? Here are some typical responses to the above sentence.

I bet you do – jerk!
I would love being rich also.
I love being rich, too.
That's easy for you to say.
How much does it take to be rich?
What a cocky statement.

Understanding Rich

I love the word rich. For many people the word is considered a dirty word. It’s actually inappropriate in many circles to say the four letter sentence that started this article. But it shouldn’t be.

When I say “I love being rich!,” I mean something entirely different than what most people imagine. I am referring to a rich way of life.

Being rich is as much about attitude, as it is about money. One can and should be rich in culture and diversity. I pondered this thought a few weeks ago as I was sailing down the Nile River through the heart of Egypt. As I went down the river, I heard the 5 o’clock Islamic call to prayer. I watched the sun set. And I listened to a myriad of languages and observed the diversity of many cultures aboard the cruise boat we were on. That was a rich experience.

A rich life does not have to have anything to do with money. Don’t get me wrong, I am glad I have the resources at my disposal that I have. But did you know over half of the world lives on less than $2 a day. When you ponder that, it doesn’t matter how much money you make, you can probably also say you are thankful for what you have. Most of the world would consider you rich in money.

Qualifying to be Rich

So what makes you rich? J. Paul Getty, once the richest man in the world, explained it in simple terms, “Richness is at least as much a matter of character, of philosophy, outlook and attitude, as it is of money.”

Money is only one of the barometers of success. Many people have lots of money, yet they lack richness in their lives. Other people have little money, but they will tell you their life is full.

Money by itself is neither evil nor good. It is simply a tool - like a shovel or rake – that allows you to accomplish things. Those who have had money and lost it usually know how to regain it. Those who have never had money and earn it quickly are often lost at what to do with it.

This is because money is similar to alcohol. Money will make you more of what you were before you had it. If you were happy and a person of good character before you had money, you will be even happier and have the ability to do even more good with the more money you have. If you were unhappy and miserable before you had money, you will become more miserable the more money you earn.

So yes, I love being rich! I love living every minute of my life and understanding now that when I say those words; I mean I love having a life of blessings and abundance in all areas. By that definition, I am truly rich. Are you?

[Ed. Note: Dr. Tim's new program, Living Every Minute: Design the Life You Deserve, is designed to help you create a rich life. Share your thoughts on this week's article with other readers below.]

Author's Bio: 

Dr. Tim Reynolds founded Living Every Minute in 2009 to allow him to share his passion for finding success in every minute with others. He dedicates countless hours each week to helping other people change their lives through mentoring, life building, giving inspirational talks and writing for his free weekly newsletter.

Life wasn't always the picture of perfection it is now for Dr. Tim. In fact, he was the first member of his family to graduate high school. He joined the military shortly after graduation, where he graduated from the Special Forces Q-course in July of 1982. He served as a Green Beret medic on an A-Team, as the Battalion medic and eventually as a Special Forces Battalion Surgeon for the 19th Special Forces Group (Airborne). He served both enlisted and as an officer for 17 years.

After getting out of the military, Dr. Tim decided he wanted to go to college to be a doctor. His guidance counselor told him he was too old. He would be 32 before he finished his degree. He told her, "I'm going to be 32 either way." He went on to graduate college with honors.

It was his passion for helping people that inspired him to become a medical doctor, and in 1993 he graduated Summa Cum Laude with an MD degree from the University of Utah. He completed his Emergency Medicine residency at Texas A&M Scott and White in 1996 and is board certified in emergency medicine. He is the managing partner for HealthCARE Express, a group of urgent care clinics rapidly expanding across the United States.

Prior to starting HealthCARE Express in 2006, Dr. Tim held numerous positions across the medical field, including: medical director of the Wadley Regional Medical Center Emergency Department and level II trauma center; president of E-Med Services, LLP and of E-Med Billing Solutions, LLP; associate clinical professor for the Area Health Education Center at the University of Arkansas; and founding member of the Greater People’s Clinic of Texarkana Board of Directors.

In addition to his medical experience, Dr. Tim is also an entrepreneur and successful businessman. He is currently the chief executive officer of TL Reynolds Properties, LLP, a real estate investment company; and he is a managing partner of JJET Developments Ltd., a real estate development company.

Dr. Tim has served on numerous other committees and boards throughout both the medical and business communities and is published in various journals and publications. He is sought after as a presenter at many national conferences.

In his leisure time, Dr. Tim enjoys spending time on his Ranch in Atlanta, Texas, where he lives with his beautiful wife, Pam, and their five amazing children. He holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, is a SCUBA rescue diver, and a pilot. He also enjoys body building, golf, and hiking.

Dr. Tim is a world traveler, having visited over 40 countries on six of the seven continents. He is a firm believer in Living Every Minute of life and teaching others to do the same.

Learn more at www.LivingEveryMinute.com