You Don't Want To Become Rich Because.

Just yesterday, I told my mother something crazy. I told her that I want to be a rich person.

Do you know what she told me?

"Don't become a rich person. I don't want someone to hunt us down."

I was - oh, God - shocked.

I couldn't believe that I heard those words from my own mother. From the person who reared me for more than 20 years; the person who gave birth to me; the person who gave me life.

My own mother wants me to live a simple, normal life. A life like everyone else's.

With debts, earning lower than $500 (in Philippine standards), and stuck as a dull, boring housewife screaming around taking care of 4 little and greedy monsters.

I was so surprised that I couldn't utter a single word for a second. Literally, my mind went blank. I couldn't say a thing to my mother. Not even to look at her.

At that time, I was totally devastated.

At that moment of my life, I finally realized why we're so poor. I've been asking myself many times since I was around 8 years old - when I used to guard someone's front yard to protect the "squash plantation" - why are we suffering financially?

My cousins live a more comfortable life with 3 nice meals a day, lovely notebooks and pens for school, traveling to different places in a single year, and wear beautiful clothes and pairs of shoes. All we got are their hand-me-downs.

All this time, I've been asking myself why can't we get out from these $$$ debts? Like every time we finish paying one debt, another demand letter from a bank or a law firm comes in for over a decade. I wonder why.

There was a point when I have to kneel in front of a director of a scholarships office to give me a full scholarship to finish a 4-year degree in a prestigious university. I was that desperate.

I finished high school to college selling what I've got to get extra money, allowances for eating properly at school; while others simply buy a cup of Starbucks. I did those while I kept my grades high because of the scholarship.

During those years, I had to run a small short-term business in secret because my parents don't want me to. To them, young kiddo running a business is an insult to them, as if they feel incapable as providers.

When they knew I was selling coffee, they stopped me.

When my mother knew I was selling bags, she discouraged me.

When they discovered I joined a network marketing company at 18, they were petrified.

I asked myself, "Why?"

As young as 8, I knew I can sell. A crazy, ambitious child. I knew I'll be a rich person.

Then, the time came - just yesterday - we talked about my sister's plans after graduation. She finished college and seems to have no plans or in a rush to apply for a job as everyone else does. My mother was in a panic.

I tapped her shoulders and said, "Relax. I know she has plans. We just have to be patient. Let's wait." Although she went silent, I saw in her eyes the words she wanted to tell me.

"No. It shouldn't be like that. Tell your sister to do what everyone else does. She's just wasting her time." I know she wanted to tell me those words.

Yet, at the back of my mind, I know my sister can thrive in whatever plans she has in mind. I know because I BELIEVE SHE CAN. Like me, she's far more willing to risk.

Just then, I asked my mother. "I wonder how people of my age are so relaxed. They can go shopping at the mall to buy something, but my sister and I go there to pay a monthly bill?"

She said, "Because that's what you chose."

I said, "Yes. I know." Honestly, many people here on Wealthy Affiliate praised me for the energy and constant encouragement, but you know I'm also human, I get tired. Don't misunderstand my need to rest, though.

Over the past 5 years, I've been continuously working on something I genuinely believe. After 5 years, I slowly see the outcomes when I am at my breaking point.

She asked, "Why are you doing that anyway? You could have applied jobs and get monthly paychecks."

I said that one line that freaked her out. "Because I want to be rich."

Her eyes widened out of disbelief, followed with a frown. She shakes her head, "Don't think like that. We don't have to be rich as long as we have all we want."

I said, "Come on, we don't have anything we want but debts. Is that the life you want? If you want that, I don't."

I continued my explanation without caring about how disturbed she was. I added, "If you just knew how I wanted to become a billionaire, mama. I really want to make that rich man on the television as my friend. I want him to know me. I want you to see me speaking on stage with that man."

Perhaps, in her mind right now, she'd think I'm crazy. I really am. I bet you think I'm mad, too. I bet my five bucks on that. Regardless, I won't stop. Never in my life, I embraced the word "QUIT."

You may see me at my pause, but if you think I quit, you're wrong.

How about you?

Do you want to become rich? Or not? If not, is there something that stops you from achieving that, my friend?

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