Don’t miss an opportunity to build people up.
Imagine having pockets filled with money that never run out. The only condition is that you can’t spend any of it on yourself—you can only give it away to others. What would you do? Most of us would run out to share it immediately. It would feel incredible to brighten someone’s life like that.
The truth is, we already do have a kind of unending wealth to give. We just don’t recognize it. Every time we interact with someone, we have the chance to add value to their life. We can notice something unique about them—a warm smile, a calming presence, a sense of humor. We can point out strengths we see in them—dedication, openness, honesty, compassion. When we thank someone, we can go beyond “thanks” and tell them how what they did mattered.
These are like small bills and big bills of emotional currency. Some compliments are light and quick; others are deep and meaningful. But all of them are valuable.
To paraphrase Stephen Grellet: I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing I can do for another person, let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again.
At the end of our lives, we’ll be able to look back and see a trail behind us—a path made up of every uplifting word, every kind moment, every time we took just a second to make someone feel seen and valued.
That is real wealth. Richness of life comes not from what we have, but from what we give.