Community > Currency: Why Relationships Matter More Than Money
I once found myself searching through an old jewelry box, looking for gold chains and mismatched earrings I could pawn just to pay the mortgage. I remember the stress—how it clung to me like an extra layer of skin, how it made every interaction feel heavier.
The uncertainty of financial hardship has a way of coloring every moment in shades of anxiety. I was consumed with thoughts of “not enough.” Not enough money. Not enough security. Not enough options.
Fast forward a few years, and my financial situation had changed. The bills got paid. The stress lifted. I had what I once longed for—stability. But something else remained true:
The moments of greatest richness in my life were never about money. They were about people.
The Real Currency of Life: Relationships
We are taught to measure wealth in dollars—to equate success with a certain bank balance, job title, or level of material comfort. But I’ve come to believe that true richness isn’t about financial security alone. It’s about the relationships we cultivate, the depth of our connections, and the people we choose to invest in.
Think about it:
When you’re at your lowest, who do you call?
When something amazing happens, who do you want to share it with?
If you lost everything tomorrow, what (or who) would you still have?
This is the real wealth portfolio. And just like financial investments, relationships require careful management, intentional investments, and sometimes, letting go of what no longer serves us.
Rebalancing Your Relationship Portfolio
Over time, I’ve learned to treat relationships like a portfolio—some connections are long-term investments, others are meant for a season, and a few are toxic assets that need to be divested.
Here’s how you can do the same:
Audit Your Relationships – Who brings you energy? Who drains it? Who do you prioritize, and why?
Invest in Depth, Not Just Proximity – Being close physically (or digitally) doesn’t mean you’re truly connected. Make time for deeper conversations.
Diversify Your Circle – New relationships bring new perspectives. If your social circle hasn’t changed in years, you might be limiting your growth.
Know When to Let Go – Not all relationships are meant to last forever. It’s okay to step back when a connection no longer serves you.
What Are You Really Wealthy In?
At the end of the day, money can buy comfort, but it can’t buy connection. If you haven’t taken stock of your relationship wealth lately, maybe it’s time to rebalance. Because when life gets hard (and it will), it won’t be your bank account that sustains you.
It will be the people who show up.
Who are the people in your life who make you feel richest? Drop a comment or share this with someone who needs to hear it.
