Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Poverty, the greatest asset

He who knows how to be poor knows everything.

- Jules Michelet

Letting go is one of the simple yet profound spiritual tasks taught by many of the world's religions.

Knowing how to be poor means knowing how to have a full and rich life without a dependent relationship with material wealth, food, chemicals, or sex.

It means not relying on the props in life like expensive clothes, a prestigious job, or a sporty car, but relying only on the basics.

Knowing how to be poor is knowing we are not in control and not wasting our serenity in trying.

It means being completely honest in all things.

It means knowing life is neither easy nor free of pain.

Learning how to be poor is learning how to let go of all the essentials and appreciating the simplicity that endures.

We don't automatically know how to do that, but we can learn.

Courtesy: Text - Email from Tom Hickcox today, Picture:http://www.janicemarinerward.com/.