“An Embarrassment of Riches”
Abundance surrounds me. When I think about the staggering wealth at my doorstep, the endless talents of my colleagues, and the limitless blessings my life has had, it boggles the mind. Even at my lowest points, it seems, a guardian angel descends from the heavens to cradle me.
Add to this my belief that our greatest efforts are the ones that lift others up, it would be natural that I become the most successful person I could possibly be, leading the way for others, showing the world that gifts bestowed can be turned into gifts given. My good fortune could benefit others.
But the embarrassment of riches can easily become simply an embarrassment. Abundance can feel selfish. With so much suffering in the world, who am I to sip an ice blended on a lazy Tuesday afternoon as I pursue a life in the arts? Better that I fail, or at least fall short.
It is painful to admit, but I have lived by this creed for the better part of my life.
The psychological underpinnings of my youth notwithstanding, it dawned on me recently that not relishing in my abundance doesn’t simply leave an absence of good tidings, it creates bad ones. Every day that goes by with a halfhearted attempt, or with the nagging belief that things can’t be achieved, fuels the next, and the next, and gets into air. If success is contagious, so is its lack.
Let us lead, we who are so fortunate. And we can start by living well, pursuing our dreams and the happiness of others at the same time. We must.
In the end, we all benefit…