Rose of Sharon Jewelry

When you think of wealth do you think of Bill Gates or bank CEOs? Wealth is more than $.  Here’s 10 ways to measure true wealth.

Grab a pencil and pad and start thinking about your wealth. I’ll bet you are a millionaire and don’t even know it.

1. First give yourself $100,000 for being a valuable human being. All human beings are born with value to their community, their family, their God and to the world.
2. Add another $100,000 to your tally if you are an active part of an emotionally healthy extended family. Family isn’t just your blood relatives; it is also the people you gather around yourself to fill the basic familial roles of father, mother, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, grandmother, grandfather, husband, daughter or son. These people go beyond friendship to provide a safety net for each other. Your wealth (and health) is greatly enhanced by creating your own family.
3. Friends are like money in the bank. You’ll have another $100,000 of true wealth if you have a network of friends. Friendship is also one of the biggest factors in living a long and healthy life.
4. Religious or spiritual beliefs add another $100,000 to your value. Attending a church regularly enhances your mind, brings you friendship and fellowship and gives you a sense of peace. However, having strong spiritual beliefs can also fill your soul, bring you peace and help you figure out what your place is in the universe. If you don’t believe in a God, you actually do have a belief system. Whether it provides you with the benefits believers have, I’m not really certain but give yourself a $25,000 for thinking deeply about the topic.
5. Work provides us with money for physical things. But the  benefits go well beyond the obvious. Add $50,000 if you have a job that keeps you busy. Humans have a built-in response to keeping our hands and minds busy. A feeling of accomplishment is a strong aspect of good emotional health. Add a passion for your work and you earn another $50,000 in value. Add another $50,000 if your job serves others. Whether you are a teacher, doctor or babysitter, your service has great value to our society and beyond. If your work takes you into areas of hardship around the globe, add another $50,000.
6. Children (your own or others) add laughter, love and wonderment to your life. Add $25,000 for each child you have in your life. I’ve always treasured being an Aunt. Hearing my nieces and nephews say “Aunt Sharon” is pure gold. My stepson Josh has been my baby for 34 years. His stepson Hunter is my first adorable grandson and his twins, Kael and Orion, have transformed my life. If you don’t have children in your family, connect with a friend’s child or join Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Find a way to add a child to your life. You’ll be rewarded an extra $50,000.
7. From the day you are born to the day you die, you must be learning. My Grandmother lived a wonderful life for 103 years because she never stopped soaking up knowledge. Whether you take a pottery class, buy some audio tapes to learn a new language, return to school or just read non-stop – you are creating a healthy, active brain. Add $5,000 for each new topic you have learned in the past 3 years.
8. Do you know your passion? Passion is a fire in the belly, a twinkle in your eye and a leaves you searching for words to explain how it makes you feel. If you have a passion, add $50,000 to your wealth.
9. We are our brother’s keepers. That is a belief that runs deep within my family. Doing for others is a powerful way to increase your emotional and spiritual wealth. We are also the overseers of our planet. Volunteering, donating and speaking out about issues such as poverty, global warming, health care, homelessness, disease, war are our duty as citizens of the U.S., earth and the human race. If you hold up your share of the sky, give yourself $50,000. If you think you are too busy, don’t have anything to offer or just haven’t given it a thought, deduct $10,000. Find a way to fulfill this responsibility now and you’ll earn back the $10,000 plus another $50,000.
10. Do you take time every day to be kind to yourself? Do you treat yourself with respect and make a real effort to pamper yourself? This is a hard one for busy women and men. Add $50,000 to your asset tally if you actively love yourself. All the other areas of wealth are built upon a foundation of self-love.

Bonus Bucks

Add another $5,000 if you -

1. Own a hybrid or high mileage vehicle.
2. Teach your children manners.
3. Read a daily newspaper (print or digital).
4. Write your congressperson at least once a year.
5. Tithe at your church.
6. Laugh often.
7. Cry when needed.
8. Balance your budget.
9. Exercise or play a sport regularly.
10. Add beauty to your life – garden, paint, decorate, etc.

Add another $10,000 if you -

1. Support a charity regularly.
2. Cook your own meals more than 75% of the time.
3. Vote in every election.
4. Recycle paper, glass and metal.
5. Spend as much time outdoors as you can.

Add another $25,000 if you -

1. Create your own measures of wealth.

I’d recommend that you revisit these true wealth calculations annually to reinforce how valuable you are!

Today is International Women’s Day! Since 1911, women have been standing up on March 8th for themselves. Are you using your power as a women to help other women? Yes, I mean YOU!

Within every women is a power so great that violence, degradation, starvation, humiliation and discrimination cannot stop it. As a woman of  the 60s, I learned to stand up for what I believed in and I believe that every single woman can make a difference.

I know you’re busy raising a family, paying the bills, making dinner and keeping up with the demands of a job. But I want to encourage you to find some time on a regular basis to make a difference. Here are a few ideas and resources you might explore to help other women.

Start Young

Become a Big Sister – The Big Brother, Big Sister organization matches you with a girl at risk. Extend a helping hand to a young girl and you’ll be able to positively impact generations! My daughter-in-law Dawn is a “Big”. Her “Little” is an adorable 9-year-old from an at risk family. I can tell you that Dawn probably gets as much from the pairing and sharing as her “Little” does. Contact Big Brother, Big Sister online to locate your local chapter.

Stop Violence

Answer a phone – Women’s Hotlines around the nation need people to answer their phones and assist women and children in crisis. You will be required to undergo training but imagine the power of helping women escaping violence. Contact your local police department to find active organizations within your community.

Support Women Entrepreneurs

Build financial security – Many problems women face around the world center on a lack of financial security. War has devastated many countries leaving women with little resources to fend for themselves. As little as a $50 loan can help a woman launch her own business or the donation of a goat can create a cottage industry where milk is sold, goat hair is used in resalable crafts and the meat can eliminate starvation. Heifer International concentrates on self-sufficiency through farming. WorldVision Microloans help women start businesses.

Whatever you find that suits your schedule, talents and interests will reward you beyond what you commit to it. I guarantee it!

I’d love to hear how you support women and encourage others to do likewise!

Other Resources

• Women for Women International
• Kiva - microloans
• National Organization for Women
• Foster Grandparents – find your state program here
• Accion – microloans

Share your valuable resources for supporting women worldwide by leaving a comment below.