A young man wanted to start investing because he had heard it was the only way to achieve great wealth. Walking down the sidewalk, he happened to see a green sign with gold letters that said: “Infinite Returns Investing.”
He opened the door and stepped into a small office with hardwood floors, an old desk with a lamp, an electric fan, a chair off to the side, and some old pictures on the walls. He couldn’t see a computer. The only light in the room came from the windows facing the street. Sitting behind the desk was an ancient-looking woman with a head full of white, curly hair. She looked up from writing something and smiled with eyes that were bright and clear. She had deep wrinkles as if she had smiled and laughed a lot. The young man was barely aware of the wave of warmth he felt coming from her. He thought that someone that happy to see him must be running some kind of scam and started turning back toward the door.
“So, what brings you here, sir?” the woman said.
Feeling rude to just walk out, he turned back and said, “I’ve been thinking that I need to begin investing.”
“Everyone has investments, whether they know it or not,” she said with a glimmer in her eye.
He was confused. “I already have investments?”
“Whatever you put your time, attention, and energy into is what you’re invested in. I specialize in the Ultimate Investment – one that pays excellent dividends in this life and the next.” She gave him a wry look like she knew a secret she wanted to share with him.
“Oh. I’m only interested in the kinds of investments that make a lot of money.”
He felt ashamed saying those words out loud.
“Really? So money’s all you want?” she asked with genuine curiosity.
As his mind was trying to come up with a response, she motioned toward the carved wooden chair at the side of her desk.
“Why don’t you come here so we can sit and chat?”
He didn’t want to be rude, so he went to the chair and sat down. It felt warm, as if someone else had just been sitting in it.
He felt like the old woman could see through him. He didn’t feel judged or criticized by her gaze, but he still felt uncomfortable, off-balance.
“What was your question?” he asked.
The wrinkled woman laughed out loud, “Oh, my! You said you want investments that will make you a lot of money, and I just wanted to know if money is all you want.”
“Oh. Uh, right. Money gives all kinds of freedom, and I like the idea of being able to do what I want.”
“And not do what you don’t want, right?” She grinned. The wrinkles around her eyes deepened. “Ahhhh, Yes!” Freedom! I spent a lot of years looking for that myself. I invested in many asset classes that helped increase my net worth. While diversifying my portfolio, I found one that avoided all downside risks.”
The young investor leaned toward the woman as she spoke.
“The best asset I found is free for the asking.”
He raised a skeptical eyebrow.
“It doesn’t need to be guarded or insured because it can’t be impacted by loss, market volatility, or theft. No one and nothing can touch it. Your spouse and kids can’t even get it through divorce or death. It has an infinite value that never diminishes one’s returns. Unlike every asset class, you get to take this one with you when you die.”
“Uh, I think we are talking about two different kinds of investing.”
He started to get up.
“That may be,” she said. “So, why do you want to be free?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” he said as he looked down at the lady behind the desk. “You said you searched for freedom.”
“Only because that’s what I thought I wanted,” she said.
“Why did you only think you wanted freedom?”
“Because that’s what the people around me wanted.”
“So you’re saying I only want to be free because that’s what the people around me want?”
She smiled gently.
“Only you can know where your desire for freedom comes from, Dear. I can help you gain an asset that gives you more than you can imagine.”
“How do I do that?” the young man asked.
“Every time you express the deep desire within you to receive the Ultimate Investment from the Source of Life, you will receive it. Like most investments, the greatest returns come to those who continually add to their holdings. Suppose you desire this particular investment daily. If you do, your returns are guaranteed to compound quickly. Unlike most investments, this one doesn’t require any capital beyond your time, energy, and attention.”
She paused, and there was silence as his mind tried to work out what she was saying.
“So, you’re saying that if I make this investment, it will bring me all the money and freedom I want?” he said.
“Oh, Honey! If you desire what The Source of All wants to give you, you will have more than enough of everything you need and more than enough to share with everyone who crosses your path. One of the biggest lies is that wealth and worldly power are everything. Money’s a poor substitute for real value. The status and power people fight over are nothing compared to the Unconditional Love of the Creator. God’s Love is the greatest currency there is or will ever be. Let God pour this Love into your life, and you’ll be the richest man in the world.”
Secrets of the Story
This story was inspired by my recent conversation with Artto Aunap on the Wake-Up Call for the Soul Podcast.
I imagine an exponential curve representing my eternal returns on my investment in God’s Love (see below). The line at the bottom of my spiritual investment returns graph appeared flat for many years as I made deposits into my soul’s “account.” I’m beginning to feel like that line is starting to curve upward like an exponential function. Instead of material wealth, my investment return graph represents the growing gains of truth, beauty, and goodness that come to a soul seeking the Source’s Essence of Love.
My life now has qualities I could not imagine when I started this journey. For example, I know that God’s Love is unconditional. I don’t just believe or hope it’s true. I know it in the depths of my being. I now perceive what’s invisible as more significant than what my biological senses can take in. I also know that I’ve barely scratched the surface of reality and that there is no limit to the blessings that may flow from the Source of True Wealth.
We’ve invented a poor and brittle world. Money, status, and other fragile inventions are like wisps of smoke compared to the eternal flame ignited within every soul that desires the bounty of Love beyond what the human world can give.
Seek the Best and Highest!
The Creator’s Essence of Divine Love is the Ultimate Investment!
I could feel the excitement building as I read the story. Even though I already know the “ultimate investment” and what it can do in one’s life, I was intrigued by the way you wrote the story and wanted it continue to the “rest of the story” and if the young man decided in favor and if so, what then happened! Thank you!