Your Daily Focus: Wealth
“A toast to my big brother George: The richest man in town.” – Harry Bailey, from It’s a Wonderful Life
Harry makes this toast at the end of the classic holiday movie It’s a Wonderful Life, as George Bailey is on the verge of being carted off to jail for being falsely accused of embezzling money from the bank he manages. When word gets out that George is in trouble, nearly the whole town shows up to rescue him and contribute whatever money they can to help George.
The whole movie focuses on the concept of each man’s life touching so many others, and what a big whole is left if that person were not around. It is a reflection to show George that the value of his life is immeasurable when you add up all the people he touched in a positive way, and how those people were then able to better help others. This concept had been invisible to George as his life played out, until his guardian angel Clarence came to illuminate it.
It is a very heart-warming and inspiring story of one way to measure the richness of life, and it gives the viewer the opportunity to reflect on their own life. Certainly that is a little different for each of us.
How do you measure the richness of your life?
I am 45 years old and this year was the first time I watched “It’s A Wonderful Life” from start to finish!! This is truely a classic and what a wonderful message it leaves all of us with: our life has meaning and we were put here on this earth for a reason. I’m sure George and I aren’t the only ones who have thought from time to time that people would be better off if we never existed. It’s easy to get down on ourselves, but what a great reminder that we should listen to our guardian angel and realize our purpose and worth. We really don’t realize how many people we “touch” in our daily lives, even if it’s just with a smile or kind word. Thank you for this message and Merry Christmas to you all!