The Sandbox Theory

Book excerpt: What does it truly mean to be rich? To own and control assets or to find richness in spirit, Sid needs to know. Plagued by spiritual voices, he sets out on a search for a new investment schema, an improved personal definition of wealth. Inspired by a gym bag toting hitchhiker who says yes I am wealthy and a grandfather's stories of coming with nothing to the new world, Sid makes a decision to listen more intuitively to relatives at a family reunion. A tragic death in the past has some members missing; Uncle Harry who is busy drinking and Aunt Lola ... rumoured rich, yet having run from the family long ago. Uncle Nick, now living in a developing country, speaks of happiness in poverty as well as something elusively appealing even beyond happiness. While religious family members thrash out Biblical teachings about riches, the children, perhaps closest to the One who bids them come, appear to have the greatest freedom. Cousin Ryan just loves to go fishing and leaves all finances to the whim of lottery tickets while his brother Franco, a successful businessman, scoffs. Cousin Amy follows the blissful glamour of a television idol, while Sid struggles to understand his sister Jo's choice to live the life of a "starving" artist. After the reunion, Sid is left with a range of new investment options. Over the next five years, Sid hears real world tales of revelation. The drinking uncle comes for a visit, having found the God of AA. Amy tells Sid of her trip to California where she visited her television hero's utopia and their California cousin living in family ocean front property. Travelling to his sister's home, he feels stirred by the perspective of children, especially one no longer living. Ryan recounts his story of a trip to see Uncle Nick in Costa Rica, his discovery of romance and the 'pura vida' way of life. Sid has finally given in to the voices within, and letting go of much of what he has to try on a global equity lifestyle, he discovers much of what the voices intended. Needing a recap on treasure in heaven, he trails along after the religious family to their church, finding out more about the spiritual side. A second reunion brings the family together once again. Conflicts from family history arise, demanding resolution of past turmoil surrounding the quest unto death, for love, so many years ago. Sid develops a wiser investment portfolio as he considers the outlook and actions of children playing in their sandbox.