PWe buy property, invest in real estate, jewelry and stocks and bonds to ensure our future. When we retire in our old age we find comfort in the thought that we have these investments to tide us over. We look at them as our assets to see us through till the day we go and to be passed on to our heirs and successors. Assets are precious to us and we treasure them as we find value in these things. We work hard to accumulate assets over time – the measure of a man's success is often determined by how much assets he has gotten to his credit.

Investment equals asset equals wealth. We feel rich when we have plenty. We take pride in what we have amassed and feel accomplished when we are bountiful. But sometimes assets may lose their value. Stocks can take a dip when the market crashes and real estate may lose value when the property boom collapses. Jewelry may seem a solid investment but it too can be affected by the rise and fall of gold traded in the market. In other words these things' values are pegged on some other outside or external influence and not in themselves. What good would jewelry be if gold loses value and people no longer fancy it? Similarly stocks can just be mere scraps of paper if at the trading floor no broker would dare trade it? Have you heard of the term “paper money”?

Finding the true worth of something is finding value in itself. It should come from within and can stand by itself. In this you will find that an investment in people is a real asset whose value is intrinsic. You invest in a person by appreciating that person, whose value increases as time passes. Thus we treasure friendships that last for years. An investment in people is real wealth when you see a person not as a commodity but a treasure to keep and cherish. When you do good to another you are investing in that person. You are giving him a chance to appreciate and be appreciated. By putting faith and trust in him you make that person realize his true worth. You bring out the good and encourage him to do more good.

This creates a chain reaction that eventually comes around. You may never know but the poor guy whom you helped one day may have moved on and helped another who years later could have helped you in your time of need. In the complex world of people relations and interaction, we call this “Good Karma” or “Good Vibes”. Once upon a time, I had the good fortune of extending a helping hand to someone, a lowly clerk in a government office. He applied for a housing loan with a government housing agency but had difficulty in providing his equity. All he needed was to purchase some construction materials so his loan could be released and construction on his home started.

At that time I already had a small hardware business doing government sales. Since I became friends with the guy and he helped me out with little favors, without hesitation, I provided the needed materials on credit. True to his word when his funds were made available he paid his obligation. He moved on and I moved on and time flew. Years later I was in such dire straits as Christmas season was fast approaching. The kids were growing up and the prospect of a bleak Christmas loomed ominously over the horizon. Business was difficult and I decided to try my luck going to the same government office I remembered my friend worked as a clerk. Much to my surprise this guy was now the Boss and amazingly he gladly gave me some business, reminding how I was able to help him years before. I almost forgot about this but nonetheless was happy that our Christmas didn't end up cold. Each thankful, we parted ways again. When you invest in people somehow you can never go wrong. Not only did I experience this once but I did so repeatedly during some difficult years. You may not be wealthy in cash or material riches but your wealth in your true friends cannot be equaled by any weight in gold.

In our times of need we have real people who are ready to share their blessings with us. We give and we share not knowing what to expect. Never expect anything for in surprises, things become more meaningful. When you least expect you may be in for a greater treat. In seeing people for their real worth you are encouraging them to look at life with a positive attitude. You are motivating them to never surrender and not stop trying. Success in life is not equated by material investments. It is not how fancy your car is, nor how big a house you have and how fat is your bank account. These are material riches temporary and fleeting. In a material world where we take pride showing off our designer bags and watches, these may seem important. When you are rich and have lots of cash you can buy practically anything. BUT YOU CANNOT BUY HAPPINESS.

Very rich people are lonely despite their huge investments. Most die of illnesses related to depression. It is ironic too that they spend a lifetime accumulating wealth only to realize later on that they want to give it away to charity. Maybe they had their money in the wrong assets. Maybe they invested wrong. But perhaps if they invested in people they would have had a lifetime of great company!