If you’ve ever been around someone with a terminal cancer diagnosis, you know it changes things. It’s not just about the sadness or the shock — it’s about the clarity. Suddenly, the noise quiets, the priorities snap into focus, and the things that seemed urgent fade into the background.
I’ve seen this firsthand. It’s a brutal but undeniable reminder: we are not guaranteed tomorrow. Yet most of us walk around as though we have all the time in the world — as if we’re rich in time.
A Wake-Up Call Close to Home
A family friend of ours was a physician. He poured his entire adult life into his career — long hours, high stakes, decades of service to others. He did what so many dream of doing: he worked hard, provided well, and retired with the freedom to enjoy the fruits of his labor.
Less than a year into retirement, he had a brain aneurysm and died. Just like that.
All the plans, all the “someday we’ll…” moments — gone. His story is not unique. It’s just the one that reminds me every day that time is our most fragile currency.
Two Questions to Reveal Your True Wealth
When I’m helping clients sort through what really matters, I often ask them to imagine two scenarios:
- If you only had three months to live, how would you be living differently?
What would you stop doing immediately? Who would you spend your days with? What would you finally say “yes” to? - If you had all the money in the world, how would you be living differently?
What passions would you pursue? What impact would you make? How would you use your days if you weren’t worried about a paycheck?
Somewhere between those answers is your true wealth — the life you actually want, not the one you’ve defaulted into.
What It Means to Live Humbly Wealthy
Living Humbly Wealthy means aligning your resources — your time, money, energy — with what matters most.
It’s:
- Choosing presence over possessions
- Valuing people over prestige
- Living with margin so you can be generous without fear
- Measuring success in memories, impact, and joy rather than just net worth
It’s not about living small. It’s about living intentionally.
Stop Pretending You’re Rich in Time
You can earn more money, but you can’t earn more time. It’s on loan, and none of us know the terms.
The physicians I’ve seen at the bedside of a dying patient know this deeply — they’ve watched lives change in an instant. But you don’t need a diagnosis or a tragedy to wake up to the truth.
The Humble Wealth Challenge
Ask yourself the two questions today:
- If I had 3 months to live, what would change?
- If I had all the money in the world, what would change?
Then find the overlap — and start living there now.
That’s how you live Humbly Wealthy.
If this post hit home, take 5 minutes to answer the two questions for yourself — and share them with someone you care about. If you’d like help aligning your money and your time with what matters most, we’re here for you.