The Gifts That Money Can’t Buy
by Beau Henderson
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Who isn’t familiar with the holiday song, “The Twelve Days of Christmas” which describes a series of increasingly grand gifts given on each of the twelve days of Christmas?
Instead of making this holiday season bigger, why not go for something really rich? A lot of us buy into the equation that money and the things it can buy = happiness. But there is a difference between money and material things, and my definition of what makes life truly rich.
The question of what makes a person rich came to me one day after meeting a highly respected client – a multi-millionaire. It was on the drive home that night, after eight years of hearing the stories of over two thousand people that an idea began to take shape in my mind. It was a new way of looking at my job … my life … really taking a good hard look at everything I do…
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…
Two Turtle Doves and A Partridge in a Pear Tree
I was already impressed before I got to my client’s house, but as I drove through the front gates lined with beautifully manicured cone-shaped trees, my jaw literally dropped. I was on this stunning white-pebbled drive winding through acres of emerald green lawn, on my way to help a client – a multi-millionaire who had really “made it.” And, I couldn’t wait to meet him.
This was a man that followed the money – he had met every single financial goal he ever set for himself and with my own two eyes I could see all of the magnificent fruits of success all around me. I was on the same path myself and, truth be told, I was hoping that fortune like gold dust might brush from his shoulders all over me!
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me …
Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves and a Partridge In A Pear Tree
I have to admit this … I was envious of what this man had accomplished and the amazing display of things that his wealth afforded him. However, by the time I left his home, my envy had turned to pity, my excitement to contemplation and I couldn’t stop thinking about everything on my long drive home. I was wrong … so very wrong about where money had led this man.
The day I arrived, his nurse answered the door because he had just sustained a dangerous and life-threatening heart attack. We walked together through his beautiful but cold house. And as we sat talking in his study, he never smiled. Both his son and daughter were estranged, and his third wife was filing for divorce. As he was finishing his story, he help out his hands in front of him. “This is what it comes to,” he said. His hands were empty and I could see that everything of REAL value to him had been lost.
On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me …
Four Calling Birds, Three French Hens, Two Turtle Doves and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
I remember leaving my client’s mansion that evening in a total daze. I finally realized that everything I had believed up to that point simply wasn’t true. I felt just like I had when I was a kid and I found out there is no Santa Claus.
As a financial advisor, I want you to have both: money and a fulfilled life. I want to make sure that you’re not sacrificing the things that really make this time of year rich for the things that come wrapped in shiny paper.
This holiday season, make sure to invest in yourself and your loved ones. And you don’t even have to wait to begin enjoying them!
1. Invest in your Relationships – especially those not at the office
2. Always take care of your primary asset – your health
3. Create Unique Experiences, on purpose – these will become your memories, which are assets unlike any other. They never depreciate, can easily be shared, and only increase in value the more they are withdrawn
Living rich doesn’t mean choosing money over people. It means making sure that you choose both! I would love to hear about the investments that add to your RichLife during this holiday season.
As most of you know, I have decided to give someone an iPad as a Christmas Gift this year!! I have been so honored and truly blessed to be allowed to live my RichLife because of YOU … all of the folks that I have been allowed to serve as a Financial Advisor and through the message of the RichLife.
And the way I am going to figure out who to give this iPad to is by having a RichLife video contest! One participant in the RichLife 2011 Christmas Give-Away will be chosen at midnight, December 24, 2011.
I have to tell you … the videos that have come in are amazing. And I am going to share one of them with you today. Just click on the video screen below to hear Carla Gardiner’s RichLife story.
Just so that you know – Teri, the friend who jerked her back to reality and taught her the lesson that led to the richest part of her life remains a good friend and is one of her business partners today!
Here’s what Carla had to say about making this video … This was both fun and sad…exciting yet gut wrenching as it brought back memories of a difficult time in my life. However, as you will hear sometimes the toughest lessons bring on the richest rewards to those continuing to trudge through the mire and muck…I made it to the other side and am richer for it.
Getting the word out to the world about the RichLife concepts that have helped YOU to live your RichLife allows OTHER PEOPLE to see what is possible for them by living a RichLife! This is why YOUR story is so important to me and to rest of the world! You sharing your story blesses YOU just as much as it blesses the person who hears it and picks up a lesson from it!
When other people hear from you how your life has changed, when they hear how incorporating the Ten RichLife Investments for True Wealth into your life has made a difference for you and your family, they can see the possibilities of a RichLife for themselves! And they will want to learn how to do the same for themselves and for their loved ones!
If you haven’t shared your RichLife video with us yet, WHAT are you waiting for?!?! We all want to hear it 🙂 …. And remember … the only way for you to be eligible to receive the iPad I'm giving away on Christmas Eve is send me your video by 5:00 pm December 24!!
The best part of this contest is that everyone wins! Everyone who enters, regardless if their video is chosen or not, will receive an autographed copy of my best-selling book, "The RichLife – Ten Investments For True Wealth" as my way of saying thank you for living Rich and sharing your story with the world!!
Here's what you need to do in order to be eligible to win the iPad I am giving away at midnight, December 24, 2011 ….
I need you to do a short 2 – 3 minute video telling us your RichLife Story by answering this question,
"What are the things in your life that truly give it meaning?"
We all need and want to hear YOUR RichLife Story …. It can be a funny story, an inspirational story or even a really hard story – one those stories that makes people laugh so hard they hold their sides or cry and shake their heads in amazement!
So … if you've got a Richlife Story that you want to submit into the contest, add your name to the form below to get all of the juicy details!! We are going to be sharing all the videos entered into the contest with all of our friends, readers, listeners and subscribers. This is truly a gift that will keep on giving for a long, long time!!
Can't wait to hear YOUR story!!
I can't wait to see all the videos…. this is a message we can't hear too often… that true wealth, or the richlife, is not about money… it's about what gives us joy and ignites our passion… it's what is nearest and dearest to our hearts. Thanks, Beau!
Thanks Beau – you gave me a good reminder and lots to think about. I loved your tip #3. Great message!
Great post Beau. Great reminders to do what's important!
Great post! How easy it is to take advantage of the things that are the most important to us, our health and relationships. Thanks so much for sharing! And I can't wait to see all the videos!