Wealth: Living well without possessing a lot

Wealth is succeeding relations

Published 09.05.2010 um 12:30 Uhr

Our wealth society based on growing consumption is not sustainable, because we destroy our own livelihood. The ecological pressure on our planet is already now 40 percent over the level, which it can tolerate in the long run. A turnaround can only be achieved by a conscious change of our way of thinking and living. Instead of individualism, competition and materialism we should aim on cooperation, responsability and life quality.

On my hikes I have learned that I can be very happy only with some simple things: with a good selfmade meal, with warm sunshine after a rainy day or a hearty conversation on the road. Yes, away from friends and family I have deeply realized the value of interpersonal relationsships. The essential in life is not available for money.

In this spirit wealth means to me a more of relationsships rich in content and joy. You don’t need material goods for those, but time, compassion and humor. Wealth does not consist of individual striving for money and property, but of collective sharing, of respectful cooperation and, resulting out of that, of the oportunities to realize one’s own dreams and visions.