From the Bottom of the Bucket

          “ True Wealth”

I just finished watching the HBO production The Wizard of Lies, Barry Levinson's movie on Benrie Madoff, played by Robert DeNiro.  It is a well done movie that raises many questions on how such a deceit could have happened and most importantly, the devastation that it left on many innocent people (including his family).

 

The movie does not focus on the details of his well publicized scam, but instead on exploring the complex personality that masterminded it. Based on author Diana Henriques book of the same name, the film focuses "on the people that were closest to Madoff as they struggle to truthfully answer questions that they have no solid answers."- HBO Films

 

The most disturbing part is how the film deals with the question of motivation.  When 

billions of dollars are at stake, can one really use greed as an excuse? After all, you can only spend so much money in one lifetime.  Can financial wealth assure a solid family, good friendships and health?   How much is enough and when does one forgo the sacrifices necessary to accumulate such wealth?  Or is the pursuit of that wealth just an excuse for the lack of effort in the accumulation of the other dimensions of wealth?

Take the act of socialization.  It takes a great deal of resources to build relationships of the depth necessary to be called intimate.  A speaker recently said " You are the direct reflection of the top five people you spend time with ".  Pondering that, I had a tough time naming my five people.  Yet, we all need connections to prosper.   How purposeful are you in focusing resources  on this valuable dimension of wealth?  Your plan should have reminders to let you know when you are not meeting your Activity objectives in building your support network. 

As Robert Margetic says in his wonderful book, How to survive the Coming Retirement Storm: A Five-Step Process for Success in Volatile Times. "Life's ongoing challenge is to avoid stagnation. Interaction with others adds texture and meaning to the fabric of life.  Being around good people offsets some of the bad things in life."  Finding those "good people" and nurturing those relationships is hard work and must be constantly and purposely attended to. 

What about the process of personal evolution?  Letting go of the old and embracing the new.  This also is an uncomfortable process. Yet the new is where your future lives and to keep your options  open is an exercise in flexibility   Engaging the world as it is going to be is a much more productive exercise than reinforcing the way it used to be.

One can't help but wonder if Mr. Madoff had made such "investments"  could he have avoided the dark path he eventually went down, dragging all those close to him along.  While you may not be dealing with billions, the process is the same and the  core  concept is, as always, Balance.  

Until next month, I wish you fulfillment.

Bob