Permit me to give you an illustration from the other side of the fence: the story of a
couple whose lives have been made unhappy through the acquisition of riches.
As soon as they became rich, they had quite an extravagant home designed and built.
Their garage housed two of the most expensive automobiles. The wife would not think
of buying her gowns in any place except Paris. The husband was most popular in the
swankiest country club.
But was this couple happy? Not by a long shot.
On week ends they would entertain sumptuously and, of course, on Mondays they
would find themselves with big heads and a "dark brown" taste in their mouths.
Through overabundant living, their digestion and general health suffered. Through
dissipation, their faces accentuated their ages and lacked the magnetism so easily
acquired with proper living.
Were they happy? Their every expression revealed unbearable boredom. The head of
this family worked diligently—and, undoubtedly, intelligently—in his pursuit of
happiness. He gained his wealth, but because he didn't understand just what true
happiness was, he fell dismally short of his goal.
There is another definition of riches which should be considered and which, to my
mind, is one of the most important of all.
"He lives a rich life" is often said about certain lucky people. What is a rich life? It is
one well rounded with many interesting and illuminating experiences. Such a man's
day is separated into units of creative work, rest, recreation, and entertainment. No
one of these, alone, is enough to produce happiness.
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" is a saying I have heard since childhood;
and it is true, no matter how many of us fail to heed its advice.
But to spend all your time resting would actually become tiresome. The purpose of the
rest would be defeated. If rest and relaxation are indulged in between periods of work,
they will both be thoroughly enjoyed, and you will also enjoy your work when you
return to it.
Entertainment is the "dessert" one enjoys at the close of a satisfying day of work. Just
as "all work and no play" is not to be desired, continuous entertainment would fail to
give perfect happiness.
During periods of recreation you should allow time for constructive reading, and you
should expand your circle of friends and acquaintances by allowing time to converse
with others.
You can now see that a rich life is a blending of all the desirable elements of life.
