Today I read chapter 8 of Orrin Woodward's book RESOLVED: 13 Resolutions For LIFE. The resolution for this chapter was RESOLVED: I resolve to develop financial intelligence. It used the example of Benjamin Franklin and how he was able to put systems into place, that leveraged his time and money, providing a passive income that enabled him to focus on the things that motivated him (his true purpose in LIFE).
Many people scoff at this sort of thinking and will often try to discourage those who attempt it, but just think with me about where this world would be if Franklin had been strapped to a job for 45+ years of his life.
To quote directly from Orrin's book:
"Thanks to his franchises, Franklin, at 42 years of age, freed himself from the day to day oversight over his printing empire, focusing instead on his other areas of interest which included science, politics, and local community affairs. ... he was a wealthy man, because he never had to think about money again for the rest of his life. However, he didn't use his liberty for laziness; instead, he used his liberty to create his legacy. Franklin knew that there was more to life than just accumulating money. In fact, he did the polar opposite, using his money to accumulate time, rather than using his time to accumulate money. Franklin understood that money was the tool to free up this time for life. Simply put, Franklin spent money to make time, while others spent time to make money. Franklin wrote, 'Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it. The more a man has, the more he wants. Instead of filling a vacuum, it makes one.'"
And what was his legacy? Here is a PARTIAL list:
1. He was a noted inventor - the Franklin Stove, lightning rod, bifocals, glass armonica, etc.
2. He founded the first U.S. Hospital,
first insurance company, two colleges, started first circulating library, started first police department, started first fire department, etc.
3. Introduced several crops to the U.S.
4. Held numerous positions in government - Clerk, Postmaster, J.P., Alderman, Governor, and Ambassador.
5. Drew the first cartoon in an American newspaper.
6. Studied several languages and designed a phonetic alphabet.
7. For fundraising he was the originator of the "Matching Contributions" idea.
8. Started a society to abolish slavery.
9. Mentored many of his contemporaries.
10. Organized fund raising and contributed to many worthwhile causes.
11. Owned and operated several businesses.
12. As a diplomat he was Ambassador to England and Minister to France.
13. Introduced the current practice of opening sessions of Congress in prayer.
14. Wrote for several early newspapers as well as published Poor Richard's Almanac.
15. Played an active part in the creation of nearly every major American document, including the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the war alliance with France, and the peace treaty with England. In fact he was the ONLY Founding Father to sign all four documents!
Reading this reminded me of how far I have come in my personal development journey as well as how far I have to go. I realize that I have in no way arrived but at the same time I am so very thankful when I look back at what God has brought me through.
I hope you take the time to realize that you have a very important LIFE ahead of you - there are things that you have been placed here to accomplish. Things that ONLY YOU can do. Go out and live your LIFE to its fullest!
God Bless,
Jason Jasper
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