As a boy, I would wander into the late evenings with my four legged friend, searching for adventures and meanings of the long lost mysteries that make the world spin. I would dream of being a superstar footballer or a songwriter, expressing cryptic, love filled lyrics to millions of fans. I dreamt of being a war journalist, wearing a tin pot hat, avoiding bullets whilst describing international crises that were occurring around me. And at the end of my journey, I planned to disappear into the solitude of the mountain tops, where I could retire from the drum beats of the human escapade and find some solace. But as I continued my long walks, and those dreams became less readily plausible, I became more focused on only seeking answers that I could discover and not ponder on solutions to never-ending problems that were beyond me to solve. I realized the more I actually wanted in life, the more I forgot what I already had. But the more I valued what I truly already had, the less I craved or needed.
And now, as I grow older, each day it seems I want less, and each day, I have steadily become richer. As I return back from Myanmar, for the first time in my life, I truly feel like the richest man in the world - for there is nothing that I desire that I do not already have.
My wardrobe is beaten up, old and out of fashion, but the clothes hang loosely on my shoulders, warm my spirit and are easy, to maintain. I am comfortable in my skin, and how the world perceives me, no matter my comical look.
My trusted four-year-old phone does all the communicating I need, quickly and efficiently, despite its weary cracks and occasional malfunction. My clinky clunky laptop, so behind in its technology and speed, still allows me to pour my creative soul into all of my projects.
My car, drives me lovingly from place to place, without much fuss or fault, playing the radio songs as we ride together around the city. My home, although creaky, provides a comfortable bed, and an ambiance in which I am relaxed, settled and cozy.
My orthopedic education has recently attained a level where my inner confidence and outer standard allows me to think freely, respect myself and others around me. Despite still having so much to learn, a peace of mind has allowed me to rest whilst I still grow.
My well-being is good, with all my parts still moving and functioning and inner organs appearing to do what the instruction manual said they should.
My family, loving and healthy, are my greatest role models and remain supreme sources of guidance, inspiration and motivation.
My beautiful wife, loving and humble, cherishes all that I am, whether I deserve it or not. She tolerates my faults, and accepts my eccentricities, standing with me, happily producing terrible selfies together all over the world.
My memories, my greatest treasure, vivid and rich, allow me to sleep well and focus on creating more memories for the future treasure chest.
I have truly found my peace with God and all the creations and peoples of the world, for I have my solace, knowing my time here is finite, my impact on others finite, my achievements finite, my dreams finite, my wealth finite, my life finite - and should it end tomorrow or in another fifty years, I am happy to know I have lived, loved and given it all, with all I had, with the riches I was given - for I truly am the richest man in the world.
It is now time to distribute this inner wealth, the best way I know how with kindness and generosity - for there are those in the world far less fortunate than I am.
(Photo by Patrick Hendry on Unsplash)