The first thing that comes to mind when I hear the word rich is a thick and moist slice of chocolate cake. My mouth waters when I think of its sugary goodness dissolving on my tongue. My eyes close to thoroughly savor, and my tongue instinctively licks my lips. I can’t help but to imagine sliding a fork through them, hoping to clean every ounce of the thick frosting, relishing until it’s gone. In the privacy of my own home I might even lick my plate and fingers. And if I make the cake myself, you know I sop the bowl with as much greedy enthusiasm as a child under a piñata.
When I think of rich I think of soup. A cream-based something that pairs well with bread. It’s filling. It’s dense, and it makes me want a nap afterward. It’s satisfying.
Rich is a joke that make you laugh until it hurts, until you can’t bear the pain in your cheeks and belly. “Oh that is rich!” With a big grin and twinkling eyes.
Rich is not worrying about the small things because there is an abundance. There’s no scarcity, no desperation. There’s more than enough, and there’s plenty to share.
I don’t think that richness and abundance are exclusive to money. There is abundance of time, resources, food, love, joy, friends, nature, goodness.
I woke up today feeling incredibly rich. Happy. And grateful. And abundant. And thriving.
I lingered in bed to do a meditation. I made breakfast with enough for leftovers for tomorrow. I cleaned the house and opened all the blinds, letting natural light wash over my freshly made bed. I folded laundry and vacuumed the floor. I washed dishes and drank tea. Got the mail and cleaned out a stinky cooler.
Nothing about my day has been particularly spectacular. Nothing special happened today. But something about today was truly extraordinary. I woke up and couldn’t believe how good I have it.
Something magical has transformed my life. Recognizing that richness comes in every form–that the life I am living is truly luxurious. I find myself wondering, “What more could I ask for?” and truly meaning it. My eyes regularly close to more thoroughly savor the mundane. I metaphorically lick my plate and fingers, sopping up every ounce of goodness that’s right in front of me.
I truly could not ask for more. I am living richly.