It’s six o’clock, and it’s hot—really hot out here. As I’m sitting in the dog park with my dogs, I started thinking about what it means to live a rich life. Now, I know everyone has their own definition of what a rich life is, but if you haven’t thought about it yet, I encourage you to do so.
Living a rich life doesn’t necessarily mean having everything that everyone else has or having all the money in the world. To me, it means doing what you want, whenever you want, without any guilt. And no, that doesn’t mean doing things that hurt others, of course. It means spending your time in a way that brings you joy and fulfillment.
Take today, for example. I did a bit of work because I love what I do. Sure, there are parts of my job that aren’t my favorite, but overall, I’m passionate about it. I had a client appointment that was just some maintenance stuff, nothing major. We even had brunch together, which was lovely. After that, I ran some much-needed errands for the house, watched a bit of TV, and took a nap because I was sleepy.
What struck me was how grateful and lucky I felt to be okay with taking that nap. There was no guilt, just a sense of contentment. Afterward, I worked a little on the computer and then decided to bring the dogs to the park. It’s such a beautiful evening, and in Edmonton, we don’t always get weather like this, so why not enjoy it?
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One of the biggest things about living a life that you define for yourself is not feeling guilty about it. Many of us were taught that a fulfilling life has to be expensive or extravagant, but that’s not true. Living a rich life can be as simple as taking a nap with your dogs or enjoying a sunny day at the park.
If you’re not happy with your current situation—whether it’s your job, your daily routine, or anything else—do something about it. Don’t wait for a magical solution to fall into your lap. You have the power to make changes now. I can almost hear people saying, “But I need money to do the things I want.” And yes, some things do cost money. But even then, you can find ways to make more money doing something you love.
Another common excuse is, “I have no time to do what I want.” We all have the same 24 hours in a day, and you have control over how you spend them. Don’t blame your kids or your responsibilities—you are the owner of your life. Schedule time for the things that make you happy, whether it’s a nap, watching your favorite TV show for the tenth time, or anything else that brings you joy.
Living a rich life is about happiness. It doesn’t have to cost money, but it does require you to take charge of your time and make room for the things you love. So, go out there and do whatever makes you happy. Schedule it in, make it a priority, and enjoy every moment of it.
Check out the inspiration for this article on YouTube, "Living a Rich Life: Finding Joy in Simple Pleasures."
