Saturday, April 5, 2014

WHEN LAST DID YOU MAKE A NON-MONETARY INVESTMENT?

Credit: SafeForex.co.uk
Most people associate the word "investment" with financial investments like stocks, real estate and the like. True, these are very popular forms of investment. However they are not the only forms of investment. Buying books that can build you up, both career-wise and in other areas of your life is an investment. Even  monetary aid given (not loaned) is an investment and usually yields dividends in the long run. 
However, not all investments require the movement of money. Basically, an investment is a seed sown into your life or someone else's life. As usual, the seed will take some time to germinate, but in due course you will reap the harvest in the form of dividends. Sometimes all that is required is burning desire to be of help, some of your time and  your effort. 
Helping people in need of help is an investment, in people. Providing a listening ear and a word of advice to a troubled or depressed person in your neighbourhood is an investment. Sometimes, a listening ear is sufficient. Relationships have always been key in the human experience and that definitely will not change any time soon. Sean Covey opines that we as human beings open up a Relationship Bank Account (RBA) with the people we meet. Giving help to people in need of it is simply making a deposit into your RBA, thus increasing the amount of withdraw-able capital in your RBA. The more the solid, positive and progressive relationships you build with people, the more likely you are to survive harsh, unpleasant times (with the help of people). I read the story of a young man who took it upon himself to visit a lonely, seemingly financially poor (or average) elderly lady who lived in his neighbourhood almost daily. Unbeknownst to him, she was an heiress to a grand fortune, and when she passed on, she left most of her money to him in her will. 
The sayings One good turn deserves another, What goes around comes around and Do unto others what you would have them do unto you still hold true because they are eternal truths. Now seek to make an investment in your life and that of others today, being cognisant of the fact that that an investment in the lives of others is actually an investment in your life.