Wealth: A Short List on How to Recognize It

The old adage “money can’t buy you happiness” is a concise articulation of a simple truth: there are much more important things in life than the accumulation of riches. A reminder of the shortcomings of wealth can be a positive step toward embracing other, more meaningful uses of our time rather than focusing on the value of one’s portfolio and constant low-level worry about the markets. And, after all, we all love a little list.

So what are these intrinsic values, and what do they really look like in real life?

Meaningful Relationships: The People Who Still Answer Your Calls:

They know your terrible singing voice, they saw you cry over a burnt pizza, and they still haven’t filed a restraining order. That’s true, priceless commitment.

Health: The Ability to Get Up Without Grunting:

A morning where your knees don’t sound like a popcorn machine and you can touch your toes (even briefly) is a monumental health victory.

Purpose and Meaning: Finding the Right Netflix Series:

You’ve committed. You’re invested. You know the characters better than your actual neighbors. It may not save the world, but it gets you through Tuesday.

Autonomy and Mastery: Opening a Jar on the First Try:

The fleeting, glorious moment where you conquer a piece of factory-sealed glass. You are a titan. You are the master of friction. You earned that pickle.

Gratitude and Presence: The Uninterrupted Hot Shower:

The simple, exquisite joy of not running out of hot water, not being interrupted by a doorbell, and finding the perfect water pressure. You are here, and the steam is glorious.

So there we go. If you can tick all the boxes on the intrinsic value list, you’ve totally got your life together. Personally, I’m still working on the Netflix series—I’m rubbish at long-term commitments.