This time of the year is a time for reflection! Especially in this household, and that's what my wife and I were sharing with our family earlier this evening around the dinner table.
We shared the story of an adventure we can during a Canadian 'Boxing Day Sale' about 6 years ago or so. For those not familiar with Boxing Day, it's a holiday here in Canada that is basically like American Black Friday. Stores open super early on December 26th, and the best prices you'll find all year long as on display.
My wife and I decided it was time for a 'extra large TV' set, and we started the hunt for the best Boxing Day deals out there. On Christmas evening, we decided that we'd brave a local Best Buy at 6am the next day, when their doors opened. The mission....
To grab a 75 inch TV at a massive discount!
6 years later, the TV is still here in the home, but ask me how many times I actually turn it on?
What's the point of this story?
The story this evening began when I quoted a popular personal development saying. I think it might have been Brian Tracy who said it or maybe even Jim Rohn, but the message when something like this...
"Poor people have big TVs and rich people have big personal libraries!"
What's interesting in thinking about this quote, is around 5-6 years ago my life took a major 180. Up until then, I really never watched TV and had a little hobby that took up most of my time....
Building my personal library!
And I'm not saying, my life went downhill after I bought that big TV lol Far from it, I've been extremely blessed with 2 new healthy children, my health and a loving wife. But my 'obsession' with growing my personal library really did take a back seat.
Obviously, I had a brand new family to think about, plus combine that with I've been in survival mode for most of those years lol. But the 'mindset' changed, and I can't deny it. I went from thinking about personal development and growth all the time, to putting it on the back burner.
Personal development is a commitment!
It's got to be intentional because at the end of the day, there's no 'boss' or professor over your shoulder telling you to keep your nose into the books! It's it's meant to be, it's up to me (I think that's how that saying goes lol)
And as the new year approaches, there's going to be a lot of resolutions that will be written down. And I'm making a commitment today, not just writing it down, but following through...On continuing my goals of:
Focusing on personal growth
Continuing to build my personal library
The latter is very important to me and I want to end this little 'resolution' with why....
I want my children, to have all these books when I pass on. I want them to fall in love with reading like I did. It's one of my most important assets and I truly believe it will help them on their journey through life in one way or another.
So yeah....
Poor people have big TVs. Rich people have big personal libraries...
I guess....
To me, it all depends on how you define rich. I don't consider 'rich' a monetary number attached to your bank account. I think I'm the richest guy on the planet because I have my health, my family and my love of reading that I hope to pass down to my kids so they fall in love with personal growth and development like I did!
