Tony Williamson

"I can see the cattle on a thousand hills, as beautiful as they are far away. I must go and fetch me some cattle. Oh, how I wish I had a cow in my backyard!"

In a very real sense, man has been cursed by the concept of the 'grass being greener on the other side'. Multiplied thousands across the ages have unknowingly left riches in their own backyard for that elusive dream of wealth on the other side. If the truth be told, many times your success, potential wealth, self-actualisation and fulfilment can be found exactly where you are now, not in the 'greener pastures' on the other side.

Let me tell you a true story that will illustrate this point. This amazing story was told in lecture form thousands of times by Dr. Russell Conwell, founder of Temple University.

The story of Lamar

Years ago, when the first diamonds were being discovered in Africa, diamond fever spread like wildfire across the continent. Men were becoming fabulously wealthy overnight as they mined the earth for the precious stone. It appeared almost limitless across Africa.

While all of this was happening, Lamar was a young farmer in central Africa, scratching out a miserable existence on his farm. As he heard the stories of the great diamonds and the wealth they instantly brought, he became increasingly dissatisfied with his own situation. One day he could bear it no more. His overpowering desire for instant wealth drove him to impulsively sell his farm, pack a few essentials and leave his family in search of those magnificent diamonds. Instant wealth was his for the taking.

Africa, fighting wild beasts and insects, sleeping under the stars, wet with rain, hot from the sun. Day after day Lamar searched, week after week, month after month, but found no diamonds. He became sick, penniless, hungry, exhausted and discouraged. Finally, he concluded that there was nothing more to live for. He threw himself into a river and drowned.

Meanwhile, back on the farm that Lamar had impulsively sold, the new owner was farming, working the soil. One day this new farmer came across a large unusual stone in a small creek that ran across the farm. The farmer thought it a strange object but, unaware of what it was, took it into his farmhouse and placed it on the fireplace mantel as a curio.

Some time later, a visitor came to the farmer's house and noticed the unusual stone. He quickly grasped the stone and shouted excitedly, "Do you know this is a diamond? It is one of the largest diamonds I've ever seen!"

Upon further investigation, they discovered that the entire farm was covered with large, magnificent diamonds. As a matter of fact, this farm turned out to be one of the richest and most productive diamond mines in the world, and the farmer became one of Africa's wealthiest men.

Lessons to learn

What can we learn from this true story? Well, the cow you seek on the mountain is probably already in your own backyard, if you look closely. Your mind is a diamond mine. Your thinking power is invaluable. Even if you are broke now, never say you have nothing, for if you have your imagination, you have everything. Before you pull up roots and 'seek another job', ask yourself what diamonds might be hidden in your own job.

Often great riches are 'hidden in plain sight'. Sometimes a change is what you need, but not before you have carefully explored the potential in your present situation. And, by the way, be careful how you lust after the other man's green grass, because his grass might be green because it is growing over his septic tank.