Key points

• Consciously creating memorable experiences has benefits that last a lifetime.

• My investments in Istanbul, Rajasthan, at home, on climbing walls, and in the bush.

• This investment gives not only you significant returns, but also others who were, and even who weren’t, involved.

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In the end, you only have yourself and your memories

In the first part, we looked at investing in your health because if you have lots of money but your health is poor, you won’t be that happy. In the second part, we looked at investing in people because psychology research confirms that good relationships are more important than most things as far as life satisfaction goes.

Here is part 3. An investment I love very much.

Investment Focus #3: Memorable Experiences

A few years ago, I managed to spend 10 weeks away from New Zealand on a solo adventure around the world. This has created significant wealth in my life because I've now seen new and 'exotic' places, experienced ancient history first-hand, seen fantastic buildings, bridges, opera houses and other wonders, been to new countries, and met new people.

The return on this investment is priceless.

I fondly remember meeting a Turkish tour guide in Istanbul with whom I developed a strong friendship due to our shared life challenges.

I can recall eating pierogi (a Polish delicacy) for the first time on Polish soil and immediately being transported back in my mind to family Polish Christmases over the years.

I remember walking with David, an Australian, through the hills of Rajasthan, North India, at 6am one morning, marvelling at the beauty of the rocky landscape while trying to keep a lookout for panthers and bears!

The memories we create in our lives become an investment that gives us returns for the rest of our lives.

They become the stories we share around the table, the 'remember whens' we pull out with our kids and the mental pictures we fondly recall as we sit looking out at the ocean.

Can you remember something significant you did a few years ago? - somewhere you went that enthralled you, a family holiday that puts a smile on your face every time you remember it, an experience you had you'll never forget?

The more you consciously create these memories, the more wealthy you'll be because, in the end, our lives are the sum of who we are, who we love, and what we've done.

Nothing more.

So, to recap, create significant wealth in your life - the kind that lasts forever, and really matters in the end - by:

1. Protecting and nurturing your health

2. Consciously loving others

3. Deliberately creating memorable experiences.

I've found the returns to be substantial.

You will too.

Here are some photos from some of my memorable experiences:

In this series, we’ve used the metaphor of investing (usually associated with money) to discuss the benefits of investing in other areas of our lives on a conscious, intentional basis.

Over to you

Would you be willing to share what the most valuable assets in your life are? What do you consciously invest in? In which ways are you wealthy?

Feel free to leave a comment.

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