Our lives are filled with beginnings and endings. Judaism orders the separation between the mundane and profane. It appears consistently in the liturgy. The change in seasons is recognized, as well as the changes from daytime and nighttime. We ask you to consider this secular New Year as an opportunity to make a shift in your point of view about wealth.

The current economic tsunami affects everyone, from those who have financial means, to those who are struggling. The economy is central to our lives. We require sustenance. We have basic physical needs for food, shelter, clothing and medical care. There are those among us who are scrutinizing these necessities and implementing personal cutbacks. This leads us to ponder this question, “Is wealth an end unto itself, or a means to an end?”

Think about the conversations you have had with yourself as you watch your hard earned savings, or the value of your house plummet thirty percent? Do you have a pit in your stomach or do you say to yourself, “Oh things are going to get better”? You work hard to provide for your family and future generations. Viewing wealth as an end itself leads to feelings of inadequacy and despondency.

Limiting your worth to only that which you measure creates an impasse in personal relationships. This sets up a one-way street for building connections. You look in the mirror and measure yourself by how much net worth you have accumulated. Then, as you interact with others, you convey this message that you evaluate your self-worth by numbers. A quandary ensues. Others view you as unreachable because of what you have built. In your shadow they find it difficult to communicate with you, while you wonder if you have done enough, or wonder why they are withholding in conversations.

Consider changing your internal and external message. Yes, hard work is important. Yes, savings are necessary. Providing for your family and society is vital. Then add the message that creating wealth is a means to an end that enables those important to you to flourish. Beyond the basics you have the opportunity to help them establish a positive sense of self worth, and a pathway to contribute to the family and the community.

You knowingly employ your abilities and follow your passion to create financial wealth. Take a moment and reflect about those who helped you as you forged the beginning of your path. Did they communicate to you that your sole focus was financial? Or did they encourage you to examine your skills so you could accomplish your goals? Was community participation integrated in their message?

When you view wealth as a means to an end you broaden the communication. Of course you transmit fiscal responsibility. Then you switch onto another track. You look at the vast skill sets your family members and those important to you possess. Everyone is good at something. A variety of points of view foster creativity. Wealth provides opportunity.

Begin by engaging in conversations in contrast to talking at others. As you look to build relationships, listen to what is said. Observe how differently each person expresses himself or herself. By doing this, you can hear what is important to them and what they see as their skill set. Try to just observe and make mental notes.

Widen your circle. Encourage family members to better know each other without passing judgment. This is oftentimes challenging. Uncovering ways to support one another is the first step. You may read something someone has written. Attend an event they have planned, or participate in something connected to an organization with which they are involved. You know those important to you find ways to learn more about what is important to them.

When you shift the focus to fostering the best in others close to you, you add a dimension to wealth that encourages each family member and other significant individuals to reach out, to support one another, to create loyalty. Thus wealth becomes a way to be tool to build relationships and create opportunities. The end result is making the world a better place to live. On a personal level, your legacy has the chance to last one hundred years. Begin 2009 with this perspective.