We’ve all heard the story of King Midas, who above all else wanted wealth. If you have not, it is a tragic tale of a man who meets a god, and asks for anything he touches to turn to gold. In the end, the King realizes that all that truly matters in life is to be grateful, and to rejoice in all that is simple and natural.

Said in another way, “The happiest people do not necessarily have the best things. They simply appreciate the things they have.” Who said it? Yup, Warren Buffet. Sure, easy to say when you’re worth $72.3 billion. But the story of King Midas tells us that having is not the same as being.

Recently, I’ve become a big fan of the late Zig Ziglar. He had a way of explaining the Midas paradox, and Warren Buffets beautiful quote: “You’ve gotta be before you can do, and do before you can have.” To have wealth in life (or happiness, physical health, love, etc) we must do what people who have it do. In order to do, we must first become a person who does those things. Be a grateful person first, do as grateful people do, and have the rewards that come from gratitude itself.

Be a grateful person first. What do grateful people do?

  • Be ready to meet every day with a profound level of gratitude. Start to notice all that you already have in life.
  • Realize that no matter your situation, there are people all over the world who survive off of less than $2 a day (down now to $1.25).
  • Get your ego in check. With near 7 billion people on our planet, chances are a few people have gone through what you are, or worse! You are unique, not your situation!
  • Journal about what you are grateful for, and make this a habit on a daily basis. Just like reps in a gym, we need to build our gratitude muscles with repetition. (I personally journal at least 5 a day, first thing in the morning)

King Midas asked for wealth to be given to him. He skipped the BE step. (How’s that for entitlement?) And in the end, it cost him dearly. The story ends with him being and doing as great leaders of men do, and in doing, he gathered more wealth for himself, his family, and his nation than ever thought possible.

So what’s the take away here? Why is Omid telling me to be grateful? Because gratitude is key to anything you want in life. Ungrateful people blame others, stagnate in a pity party, refuse to give from a place of warmth, and poison those around them. Grateful people are happier, give more, are wealthier financially, healthier physically, and even live longer.

Ungrateful King Midas loses his daughter to his entitlement. Grateful Warren Buffet is a billionaire. And this year, I’ve read over 70 books reinforcing the need for gratitude in life to get what you want. Turn this into a daily practice, turn gratitude into your Midas Touch. and I promise life will not only turn around, but you’ll also find a wealth you didn’t even know was possible.