The ” 12 Riches Of Life” By: Anthony Pellegrino

In a few days we enter the new millennium–the year 2000. All of us have different viewpoints for the new era about to begin. If you are an optimist like I am, life will be more beautiful and fulfilling than ever before. I look forward to continued discoveries in the sciences, technology, and, most of all, in the human spirit.

To encourage all of us to seek a richer life, I wish to share the ” 1 2 riches of life” which I pray will give you new courage to meet the challenges you face daily. As I traveled through books and life, I harvested these from many sources. You will find a lifetime of fulfillment by following their precepts.

1) A Positive Mental Attitude – is the starting point of all riches. Cancel
negative thinking. Think positively and you will conquer the world.

2) Sound Physical Health – something all the money in the world cannot buy. Once we lose it, life becomes a burden. Protect it by practicing proper living habits.

3) Harmony in Human Relationships – people are all that matter. Reach out to improve your relationships with your spouse, children, relatives, and everybody else you come in contact with.

4) Freedom From Fear–struggle to overcome the “seven basic fears” which appear most often in the minds of men: fear of poverty, fear of criticism, fear of ill health, fear of loss of love, fear of loss of liberty, fear of old age, and fear of death.

5) Hope For Achievement – the best way to measure your accomplishment is to understand that “success is the progressive realization of a worthy goal.” The quality of the journey towards any goal makes the difference in the quality of achievement.

6) The Capacity For Faith – the philosopher Nietzsche wrote: “He who has a “h to live for can bear almost any how.” Determine your @h and have faith in it.

7) Willingness To share One’s Blessings – give more and you will get more. Teach your children to give also.

8) A Labor of Love – picture an individual devoid of “love” and you will see a bankrupt individual. If there is one road to life-fulfillment and human
salvation, it is in the “labor of love” both at home and in our surroundings.

9) An Open Mind On All Subjects – the Bible states: ” in thy getting, get knowledge.” From knowledge comes wisdom. An open mind is a symbol of a man in control and confident of his destiny regardless of the pettiness around him.

10) Self-Discipline – think of a winner in life and you will see the personification of hard work, dedication, sacrifice– in other words you will see the embodiment of self-discipline.

11). The Capacity To Understand People – the successful man understands the heart and mind of each person he comes in contact with- This potential opens doors and opportunities, but it requires patience and observation to attain.

12) Economic Security – placed last in the list of ” 1 2 riches” because only the understanding and practice of the above 1 will bring economic security.

As you review the 12 ideals, think also of your “meaning” in life. Your search for meaning should be a primary motivation in your life. What should matter is not the meaning of life in general but rather the specific meaning in your life at a given moment.

Dr. Viktor Frankl in his enlightening book Man’s Search For Meaning, states: “Happiness cannot be pursued- it must ensue. One must have a reason to be happy. Once the reason is found, however, one becomes happy automatically.” The ultimate goal is to come in tune with yourself and the world around you. Happy Holidays !