A Study in Wealth: Rediscovering the Meaning
Hey-hey, great to e-meet you! I’m RYNA MI, a scientist of wealth and a wealth doula and I welcome you to #WealthUnplugged blog.
I am currently traveling with my kids through the charming city of London and though I have been contemplating the theme for quite some time, inspired by the spirit and history of the surroundings, I’ve decided to channel a bit of Sherlock Holmes or my inaugural post on the #WealthUnplugged blog. Imagine if the great detective himself were tasked with deducing the true meaning of wealth — where would he start?
The Etymology of Wealth
Ah, wealth—a word that conjures images of gold coins, lavish estates, and perhaps the occasional monocle. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The word "wealth" has a pedigree, a lineage that dates back to the venerable Old English. It all began with "wela," a term that had the audacity to mean "well-being" or "prosperity." Imagine that—wealth wasn’t always about fat wallets.
Old English "wela": This word dared to suggest that true wealth encompassed good health, happiness, and prosperity. How quaint!
Proto-Germanic "welon": Not to be outdone, the Proto-Germanic ancestor also stressed the importance of well-being.
Middle English "wealthe": By the time Middle English rolled around, "wealthe" still held on to its broad sense of prosperity, refusing to be pigeonholed by mere materialism.
Fun Fact
Geoffrey Chaucer, in his 14th-century work "The Canterbury Tales," used the word "wealth" in a way that included health and happiness. He wrote, "Wel oghte a preest ensample for to yive, By his clennesse, how that his sheep sholde live," essentially advising priests to lead by example. A revolutionary concept, indeed!
Over the centuries, the term "wealth" shifted its gaze to the glittering allure of material riches. But hark! By revisiting its original intent, we can broaden our understanding to encompass all aspects of a fulfilling life.
And just as Sherlock Holmes might conclude after examining all the clues, “Elementary, my dear Watson! Wealth is not merely measured in gold coins but in the richness of health, happiness, and well-being.”
What’s next
Thank you for joining me on this first, undoubtedly thrilling step towards understanding and achieving authentic wealth. Stay tuned for more insights and inspiration on #WealthUnplugged.
After all, what if the richest lives are not only measured by the heft of one’s purse but by the richness of one’s experiences?
Further Inspirationals
For those interested in diving deeper into the etymology and historical context of the word "wealth," here are some recommended resources:
1. Oxford English Dictionary (OED)
2. Online Etymology Dictionary
3. Geoffrey Chaucer’s "The Canterbury Tales"
4. "A History of English: A Sociolinguistic Approach" by Barbara Fennell
5. "The Origins and Development of the English Language" by John Algeo and Thomas Pyles
6. "Old English and Its Closest Relatives: A Survey of the Earliest Germanic Languages" by Orrin W. Robinson
7. "An Etymological Dictionary of Proto-Germanic" by Guus Kroonen
8. "The Cambridge History of the English Language, Vol. 1: The Beginnings to 1066" edited by Richard M. Hogg