15 important things money can’t buy:
1. Time
2. Happiness
3. Compassion
4. Creativity
5. Love
6. Character
7. Patience
8. Courage
9. Dignity
10. Ethics
11. Sense of Purpose
12. Curiosity
13. Originality
14. Wisdom
15. Determination
Because in the end, this journey called life is about a whole lot more than just dollars and cents. What’s really important is how we treat each other. What we can contribute instead of what we can get. How we decide to show up every day.
The important things that money can’t buy are available to all of us but they take work to acquire. Like wisdom, for instance. That doesn’t come without some life experiences that cause pain, embarrassment, and grief.
Or happiness. That’s something we can choose — or not. How many people do you know that wallow around in self pity, complaining about what’s wrong with their lives? And then there are the people we enjoy hanging out with because they’re upbeat, positive, and manage to find some bright spot of good in each day. What are you choosing?
Think about dignity. It’s not about what kind of clothes we wear, the cars we drive, or the places we call home. It’s knowing that we have worth, that we are valuable human beings. And it’s treating others with dignity too, no matter what their present circumstances may be.
Originality — I love this one because we’ve all got it. It’s a gift we receive the day we come into this world. We’re all originals! Why is it we spend so darn much time trying to be like everyone else, trying to conform to what others expect? So go on — show your amazing, awesome, original self to the world.
The important things money can’t buy are what will transform our communities into thriving, vibrant places where everyone has a seat at the table. They are the traits that create positive change. That spread kindness. The important things that money can’t buy are the antidote to the hatred, negativity, and hopelessness that’s infecting our country..
What would you add to this list? Please add your thoughts in the comments section.
We are all stronger and better when we work together.
Together we can create a world of beauty, transformation, and hope.
10,000 Butterflies is dedicated to planting hope and growing change. Every one of us has the power to create positive change — in our own lives and in the lives of others. Together we can solve problems and build stronger communities. 10,000 Butterflies is a place to connect with others making good things happen, to find resources, to be inspired and to celebrate what connects us instead of what divides us.
Please join us.
Bonnie Pond is the founder of the 10,000 Butterflies Project and author of The Power of Three: How to be Happy and Get What You Want in Life (Without Doing Anything Illegal, Immoral, or Unethical) and Unlock Your Creativity: 30 Days to a More Creative YOU!
