I learned a crucial lesson about the value of money while driving.
When I stop at a traffic light on a busy street, I often see men asking for money.
They hold a sign, sometimes a cup. Some of them look pale and hungry and wear rags, while others even look healthy and reasonably dressed.
I usually try to offer whatever I have in the car, a granola bar, an apple, and maybe a few coins if I can find any.
If I don’t find anything, I try to offer a word, a nod, or a smile.
I want to give something, anything.
The thing is, between online shopping, e-transfers, and Apple Pay, I truly don’t remember the last time I touched some real cash.
And I will learn a lesson, about the value of money
I was driving. I stop by the traffic light. A man approaches. I scrambled around to find something to give.
A quarter!
I extend my hand holding the quarter out the window.
The men approaches. He sees the quarter, shakes his head, and even gives me an awkward smile that says, ‘I don’t take quarters’ and walks away.
The light turns green and I am dumbfounded.
I drive off mulling over the question,
Why wouldn’t he accept my quarter?
In my mind, I list all the things I can use a quarter for, and if I have a few quarters, I can definitely do something more with it.
Was he offended, ungrateful, or just plain did not see the value of a quarter?
God knows how many times I received an email that read, “A payout of 0.33 cents for medium.com is on the way to your account.”
Money is money.
And again, on another day…
I was driving and stopped at that same traffic light.
Immediately, I started scrambling to find something to give as the thought came to mind, “Whatever happens, I just hope the guy doesn’t throw the coin on my face…”
There was a different man that day.
I rolled down the window and said,
I’m so sorry, I only have a dime.
To which he answered,
Don’t be sorry. Thank you very much. Have a great day!
Wow!
“How is it possible that this man is happier and more grateful about receiving a dime than the other man was when being handed a quarter?”
Is a dime worth more than a quarter in this part of town?
No, a dime is a dime and it will always be a dime.
A quarter will always be a quarter, the same way a hundred, a thousand, or a million will always be.
What gives value to what we have, is how we feel about it.
If you have a million, and you feel miserable because you don’t have five million, then your million might as well be worth the same as that unwanted quarter.
Meanwhile, if you got a dime, and you are happy and grateful for it, you are blessed.
You are seeing the value of everything that comes to you and you receive it with humility and grace. Your appreciation for what you have brings you contentment and joy that no money in the world could bring you.
Wealth is in the mind.
This is not a story about being happy with little. This is a story about feeling blessed, grateful, and content with everything you have.
My definition of wealth, if you asked me.
