The Billionaire’s Obituary

I recently read a sad obituary of a billionaire who had passed on. It recorded the fact that they had been known for their ‘bullish’ dealings in business and their unsettled family relationships resulting from three marriages.

Now they may have been the owner of some other fine qualities throughout their lifetime, not noted in the obituary, but for me personally – to have recorded as part of my obituary the above details, is the leaving of a sad legacy.

Success in life must be assessed by not just the bank balance alone, but rather by the measure and richness of the relationships developed by a life both in business, and in particular within the structure of the family.

All of us are flawed, but if we can live our lives in a state of love, forgiveness, the keeping of short accounts and of faithfulness – then we are traveling on the road towards a rich and prosperous life.

So let me encourage you to go and make your millions. Make your billions if you so desire – but as you pursue these goals please make certain that you grow rich at the same time in all your relationships along the way. And in growing rich – make giving richly a vital part of your overall wealth plan. For to give is to truly live.

And let your obituary herald – ‘He lived a rich life – rich in fine qualities, finance, family and friends.’

Tags: Character, Family, Wealth Creation

Posted: 27/10/2009