True Wealth: Turning Disaster Into Blessing

Good news. The number of wealthy people around the world has increased, reaching three thousand billionaires as of March 2025. The United States leads with nine hundred and two billionaires, most of them concentrated in the information technology sector. China and India follow with five hundred and twelve and two hundred and five billionaires.

Economists and financial experts welcome this development. The rise of wealthy individuals in several countries signals that the global economy is recovering compared to the COVID era of 2020. These billionaires are people who worked relentlessly throughout their lives, distributing their assets across stocks and bonds, and now finally enjoying the results of years of effort.

Yes, being rich is undeniably comfortable. Plenty of money, luxury goods, big houses, fancy cars, overseas vacations. What their lives looked like before they became super wealthy, how hard they worked, and what they sacrificed to reach the peak of their careers is something we can never know for sure. It is like a mountain that looks stunning from afar but appears very different when seen up close.

Beyond the steep cliffs and rocky terrain, the true face of a mountain is far from smooth or as pretty as the photos of Instagrammable tourist spots. Believe it or not, the most valuable part of a mountain is its forests and natural vegetation. Aside from the pride of reaching the summit, there is almost nothing that keeps us lingering there.

Illustration: private collection

Honoring nature is not infidel

Sadly, urban civilization often finds itself treating trees as a threat. Incidents of fallen trees causing casualties and damage happen everywhere. Bad weather, storms, or heavy rain can turn a once trusted protector into a danger when its large trunk collapses and destroys vehicles, buildings, or homes.

Armenian Folk Beliefs regard trees as sacred, (as sacred as springs of water in Hindu). Followers of this belief mark certain trees with strips of cloth to signal their presence to others. As more people tie cloth to a tree, it discourages outsiders from cutting it down.

From a monotheistic theological perspective, this practice is considered misguided because it elevates worldly objects, like trees, to the same level as the Creator. Trees can fall, and none of them defend themselves or demonstrate divine power when humans slash through forests like orcs.

This became evident when Armenia faced social and economic collapse after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in late 1991. Without the cheap gas they once depended on, Armenians burned their furniture to stay warm during harsh winters. When all their furniture was gone, they turned to the forests and began cutting down trees for firewood.

The consequences were predictable. The aftermath of deforestation is the same everywhere in the world. Floods and landslides followed the loss of sacred forests. Countless lives and property were lost, leaving deep and lasting sorrow.

Regret is not enough

Although the country is still relatively young, Armenians quickly realized the mistakes of the past. Reforestation efforts are now widespread in this CSTO member state, carried out by NGOs and diaspora communities educated abroad. Armenians have come to appreciate the wisdom in their ancestors’ teachings about honoring the wilderness.

Restoring the forest is not only seen as environmental conservation. It is also an effort to preserve Armenian cultural heritage as the soul of the nation and the bridge between past, present, and future. For them, restoring forests is not about chasing profit from the tourism industry. Restoring forests means restoring sacred natural sites to rebuild spirituality and reconnect with nature. That is what matters.

Although deforestation and its impacts have not been completely eliminated, the awareness of sacred places is a meaningful step forward. None of this would be possible if Armenians remained trapped in endless regret over past mistakes. (dswas).