Distractions Till Death 'Due' Us Part
Friends Among Us (2058) by Philosopher Daniel Sanderson
Setting: A sun-dappled, timeless garden. Sophia is seated on a stone bench, radiating a quiet, knowing light. John (Ruskin) approaches, studying a single, perfect rose.
Sophia: Hello, John. That rose... a small marvel, isn't it?
John: (Sighing contentedly) It is. It reminds me of the true measure of abundance. I've often thought that people confuse the count in their ledger with the value of their existence. All the gold in the world can’t make a breath sweeter or a sunset more brilliant.
Sophia: A profound truth. The human heart so often chases after what can be counted and stored, failing to recognize that the most precious things are, by their very nature, fleeting and shared. Life itself is the ultimate, irreplaceable inheritance.
There is no wealth but life.
— John Ruskin (1819-1900)
John: Precisely! The vitality, the experience, the capacity to feel—that is the only true capital we possess. We spend so much energy on amassing things that don't live, that don't grow, and we forget that our real wealth is in the sheer gift of being. A friend's laughter, a moment of deep insight, the simple rhythm of a day well-lived... those are the riches.
Sophia: And it is within that context of shared life that friendship finds its deepest roots. A friend doesn't just admire the treasures you’ve accumulated; a true friend helps you fully realize the treasure you are. They add to the quality and depth of your living, making your one invaluable life feel richer and more meaningful simply by walking beside you.
John: That's beautiful, Sophia. The greatest friend, then, is one who reminds you that the greatest possession you have is the very pulse you carry. It makes me wonder why we ever allow the trivial pursuits of material gain to fracture the genuine connection we could share.
Sophia: Because it's easier to count coins than it is to nurture a soul. But as more minds turn toward the simple, undeniable truth of what holds genuine value—the experience of life itself—perhaps more will find their way back to a community built not on acquisition, but on mutual appreciation for the living wealth they all share.
What do you think is the most undervalued "non-material wealth" in modern society?
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