The Richest Man in Town was not the mayor, or the factory owner or the internet mogul. Some people might have even said he was not all that special. He was only Marty – grandfather, husband, vet - that worked at the local Walmart only because he wanted to be sure he had sufficient insurance for medical troubles he had faced and conquered in the past.

My dad introduced me to Marty through the book, “The Richest Man in Town,” by V.J. Smith. It is relatively short and a very easy read but it has already made a huge impression on my heart that I hope will carry over to life changing actions – and continue to spread on to you.

Lessons Learned from the Richest Man in Town

Happiness is a choice. Most people are looking for circumstances or people to create happiness but the real key is to find it in self. Waking up each morning not only looking for the good, the positive and the uplifting, but EXPECTING it will create a life of peace and happiness.

A genuine smile is catching. It can be worse than a yawn. The person that gets the original smile will find that smile creeping on his own face and being passed on the person that falls in line of that smile. The best thing about a smile is that the giver and receiver both feel better after the exchange.

Listening is an action verb. There is more to hearing a person that receiving the words in the ears. Real listening takes seeing the person first and then recognizing the place where the words originate. Listening does not require any use of the mouth.

One simple act can change a person and the world. A letter speaking the praises of an employee set off a string of events that touched lives by the thousands and even inspired this column. Make your own small gesture today.

It is the person and not the persona that matters. Titles do not change the person. The outfit does not make the man. Every heart has the same potential so choose to see the heart and not the shell.

It is you that matters most. I am always around me. Focusing on the me in my life closes in that life. Reaching out to the you that come into my life – even for a moment here and there - expands my life to limitless possibilities.

Attitude does matter. Every day at work we formed a circle and chanted, “I am healthy. I am happy. I am terrific.” Maybe it was the site of these men and women in fine suits and dresses chanting like a football team, or maybe it was the words, but I always walked away feeling healthy, happy and terrific.

Income does not bring prosperity. A truly prosperous life is one that is lived with nothing missing and nothing broken. The New Year offers the perfect opportunity to choose the life of the Richest Man in Town.