As we usher in the Year of the Hare, other than hoping that the new year will be a better one than the previous year, most of us also hope that it will bring more wealth. Is financial gain really that important? What is real wealth, actually?

Well, many people would tell you that wealth is having an abundance of money, being financially free and rich. Now, I’m not saying that having an abundance of money is not an absolute part of being wealthy, but true wealth is more than that.

Real wealth is having an abundance of all that is good. Indeed, money is good and without a plentiful supply of it, life cannot be truly complete. We live in an extremely materialistic society where money is needed to exchange for goods and services.

A certain amount of money in needed simply to live and survive, but an abundance of money offers freedom and the ability to live life without boundaries. Monetary wealth is desirable because without it we are limited to the good that we can partake of in this physical life.

However, money alone will not bring true wealth. A truly wealthy person has an abundance of all that is good, not only the things that money can buy. True wealth includes having a healthy body, a powerful yet controlled mind, harmonious and happy relationships.

Having a healthy body is a definite part of complete wealth. Being healthy means you have a strong immunity to sickness and disease. It also means that you have plenty of energy, you feel vibrant and full of life on a daily basis. And it also includes having the type of body that you want, one that you feel comfortable and proud of. Health is a necessary component of a completely wealthy life.

Mental health is another component. This includes reading and learning about topics that interest you. You do not need to be a genius but learning and developing is our essential nature, and it is needed for life to be complete. Mental health also includes mental well-being whereby we are in control of our emotions, rather than being controlled by them.

And last but not least, a truly wealthy life is one full of harmonious and happy relationships. This includes the relationships we have with our family, friends and colleagues that we are happy and contented with. But more importantly, it includes our relationship with ourselves, enjoying our own company and thinking of ourselves in a positive way.

So what is real wealth? It is having everything needed to live a happy, successful, long and fulfilling life. Money is an absolutely essential component of this and pursuing wealth is noble and praiseworthy, though some may beg to differ. But having an abundance of money will not lead to a fulfilled life unless it is coupled with physical health, mental health and harmonious relationships. When all of these components are present, life will then be truly a thing of joy, beauty and total and complete fulfilment.