Thursday, November 27, 2014

Blessed

A few days ago I learned that there is a small but definite possibility that my husband and I might become rich.

I'm not talking about rich in the league of Bill Gates or Warren Buffett, of course. However, we're in the process of trying to sell an invention, and we've got some nibbles from potential purchasers who would pay several million dollars.

When my DH told me about this (he has been handling most of the search for investors or buyers), I did a double take. It's hard to imagine receiving that kind of money. Although I've been doing what I can to support his promotion efforts, I have to admit it wasn't real to me until DH and I had this conversation.

I began thinking about what we'd do if this deal actually comes through - what I'd change.

And I was startled to realize the answer: not much.

I wouldn't quit my job. I love my work.

I wouldn't want to move. We have a fabulous apartment and I have no interest in buying another house, after being weighed down for years by the burden of owning a fabulously interesting but continuously deteriorating historic home in the US.

I wouldn't stop bargain-hunting. That's in my blood, inherited from my Jewish mother and grandmother!

Aside from a few odds and ends, there's very little I want or need that money can buy. I guess I'd like to be able to travel more, but even now our constraints in that area relate more to time than money, and I've already said I'd want to keep my job. Probably I'd go visit my family in the States more often than we do now.

Overall, though, I'm so blessed at this moment that money would not improve our lives much, because there's so little to improve. The money would provide some security for our future, relieving some stress, but as far the present is concerned, I have pretty much no complaints.

That realization is totally amazing. Here we are, celebrating Thanksgiving - could I possibly have more reasons for gratitude? I love my life, my husband, my work, my family, my friends, our cats. We have our health and strength. I have my writing life, my back list to be proud of, my peers and my readers.

What more could I ask for?

Indeed, I want to share my bounty with others. And I do what I can.

First of all, I have a story in Coming Together's new holiday charity collection, Coming Together For the Holidays. The book will release around December 1st, but you can pre-order it now. All proceeds support Stand Up For Kids, a charity working in local communities to support homeless youth. They provide outreach, education, food, clothing and most valuable of all, responsible adults to whom these kids can turn.



Second, I will donate $1 to Stand Up for Kids, for each person who comments on this blog post. Just tell me what you're thankful for today.

May you have life, and have it abundantly. Or to borrow the sig line from one of my writer friends:

We give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way.

Happy Thanksgiving!

31 comments:

ELF said...

I am thankful for the opportunity to interact with so many fascinating people through venues such as this, as well as having the chance to explore so many intriguing stories by talented authors. Congrats on your potential good fortune and kudos to you for your generosity! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Lynn Crain said...

It's sad to think that most people think that having lots of money will solve all their problems when in reality, it won't. Money is a tool to get what you need then what you want. People forget that and chase the almighty dollar, or whatever currency they use, in an attempt to get all the materialistic things they want. Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. More money means more problems and many of those are of a financial nature. I believe it was in the Spiderman series that it was said, 'With great power, comes great responsibility' and it is also true with money.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful story. And I think this is true for most people who are truly happy with their lives and what they already have.

Heath Greenis said...

It's wonderful knowing you are so content with your life.
I love the idea of donating to a charity. : )
Personally, I'm grateful for the basics. I have a supportive family and friends that I love and cherish. I have a dog that thinks I'm the best in the world. Not spoiled at all.
HGreenis - The Natasha Saga

Author H K Carlton said...

I'm thankful for my children and the opportunity to do what I love.
Congratulations on the exciting new and potentially prosperous venture.
And thank you for always supporting such wonderful causes.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Lisabet.

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful for my family and friends. I'm also thankful for you. Lisabet, and folk like you for your charitable contributions. I'm also thankful for you take the time to help beginning authors, whether it be running a fabulous site like ERWA, or helping someone with their cover art so they can get their short story ready for publication ;) Hope you and your family have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Unknown said...

I'm thankful for the opportunity to help others and to make my dreams come true. Great post, Lisabet. I hope you and your husband's dream comes true!

Colleen C. said...

Happy Thanksgiving! I am always thankful for my family... Wishing you and yours the very best!

Anonymous said...

Happy Thanksgiving!

ShirleyAnn said...

Happy Thanksgiving it's a wonderful way to help others.

Unknown said...

Good for you, Lisabet! Hope your venture comes to fruition. My DH is an inventor too, though I'm not sure he will get millions for his invention. :) I loved your post, and I'm grateful for you. Happy Thanksgiving!

RMC said...

Happy Thanksgiving, Lisabet.

I'm thankful for my great husband, the best sister in the world, three wonderful cats, a terrific dog, a handful of truly good friends, a warm house, lots of food, and reasonably good health.

Hope everything works out for your invention.

Rose ;-)

Daddy X said...

Hi Lisabet-
I think it speaks to some form of maturity to know when we're satisfied with what we have.

Emerald said...

Congratulations to you and DH for the potential financial reward, Lisabet, as I am guessing that means someone sees the invention as something that could seem helpful to someone—and that seems pretty cool to me. I too found it lovely to read your description of feeling satisfied with what you currently have such that the addition of a considerable sum of money doesn't seem potentially particularly life-changing.

I feel grateful for everything that supports my being, which is to say nearly everything I encounter and experience, as every moment is an opportunity. There are things for which I feel particularly grateful, but frankly if I am asked the question in an open-ended way, it feels more complete to me to answer as I just did (at this moment anyway).

Thank you for sharing (in more ways than one!), and Namaste.

Willa Edwards said...

That's fantastic Lisabet. Both the windfall and the life you have. Sounds like you've got everything you could want and you appreciate it all. That's an amazing blessing.

Lisabet Sarai said...

Thank you, Elf. I hope your Thanksgiving was fantastic.

Lisabet Sarai said...

Hello, Lynn,

This realization has helped me to let go of the outcome, too. I mean, if none of this happens, I won't be the poorer, not really.

Still, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Lisabet Sarai said...

Hi, Heather,

The basics are what really count. The world would be a much more peaceful place if more people understood that truth.

Lisabet Sarai said...

Hi, H.K.,

I'm grateful you can do what you love, too, because you do it so well! Happy Thanksgiving!

Lisabet Sarai said...

You're so sweet, Daily. I hope your publishing debut is hugely successful.

Lisabet Sarai said...

Thanks, Naomi!

As for our dream.... well, only time will tell, but if it doesn't happen, at least I have had the fun of imagining it!

Lisabet Sarai said...

Me too, Colleen. I'm thankful for the Internet and modern telecommunications. At least I can talk to them, even if I can't be physically with them.

Lisabet Sarai said...

Thank you! (Whoever you are!)

Lisabet Sarai said...

We all do what we can, Shirley Ann.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Lisabet Sarai said...

Hope you don't mind that I stole your sig line, Normandie!

I wish your DH great success. Creative guys are so precious.

Lisabet Sarai said...

Thanks, Rose! May you enjoy continued and increased blessings.

Lisabet Sarai said...

Hi, Daddy,

We're nothing if not mature. ;^)

Lisabet Sarai said...

Namaste, Emerald. Thank you.

Lisabet Sarai said...

Well, the wind hasn't fallen yet, LOL. But we can hope!

Happy Thanksgiving, Willa!

Tonya Kinzer said...

I'm thankful for so many things in my life, too. My husband makes me happy and our life is wonderful. He encourages me to write more but in doing so, I'm not at the office as much. I can't write well there and my stories burn up the hard drives! LOL I love that I'm able to write amazing stories that readers love and they keep wanting more. We have friends and family around us for support and fun. More money is always nice, but as you said...it really wouldn't change my life other than to provide future security. Thanks for YOUR stories and support!

Lisabet Sarai said...

Thanks for joining in the fun, Tonya! You're a lucky lady, I agree.

Lisabet Sarai said...

Fifteen comments - fifteen bucks to Stand Up for Kids.

If you want to do more, buy a copy of Coming Together for the Holidays! It's out now:

Smashwords
Amazon
Barnes and Noble

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