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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Recent Comments
34
Dear MGaspary!
Another interesting but "screeming" post!
I hear you and I have my well thought through answer I would love to share.
But!
Instead of writing an answer here, I will write a whole post. Trust me, I will use a very solid rationale to get my point across.
Well, stay tuned!
BlueJ
I firmly believe that where we are at in every area of our lives is due to our particular ways of thinking. If you think like a poor person, you will be poor, and if you think rich, and combine that with faith and perseverance, you will be rich. As The Law of Attraction tells us, our thoughts are like magnets that draw to us those things that are most like them. If we think the way successful people think, we will automatically draw success to us. That, I believe, is where greatness lies.
Brian
Thought provoking post as ever.
I have no doubt you will crack this dream. You have such a different upbringing to mine or many of us in Europe and I can see why the drive is a powerful force within you,
I really enjoy your posts and words of wisdom. Keep going lady you are one to watch.. 👀 x
Wow, that's really a powerful message from you, Cordelia. I don't know or I have no idea how different I think from you, guys. I just do what I have to do. That's all. I want to become rich, that's what I have in mind all the time. Over the years.
Interesting question..sometimes I think I am afraid to be rich..financially. Sometimes I think I associate money as evil or from an evil source...where would I have got those crazy ideas. I guess I think of people in the world without money and how am I so lucky. But money is neutral. It's just a means to an end. It allows you freedom. It can be used to do much good on the earth.
Money is not evil, but it's how being used. It's how people perceived it. For me, money is happiness. It's not because I could get what I personally want but it makes the people I love happier. So, I'm striving to become rich not because of the fame, influence, and power it brings. It's about being able to make the people I love happy and that's happiness for me.
I admit, I grew up with the programming that rich people is bad and making a lot of money will put our family into danger. Yet, there's something that changed my mind. Our current situation explains it clearly. We're broke. We're here on WA to make money. That's the truth. Otherwise, it won't make sense to be here if we both don't want money.
Awesome job! I am with you all the way....Sadly, it's family that most often are guilty of "stinkin' thinkin'".
They mean well, but they usually manage to lower your self esteem, while "saving you".
All the best,
Billy
Yes, that's the odd thing. I mean, it's ironic. They want us to be okay, successful but when we tell them we want to be well-off and debt-free, they say all these things that discourage us. :(
But, that is because your thoughts, speech, and actions threaten their comfort zone.
They can't see themselves "walking in your shoes", to understand you...instead, they must rescue you from their fears...not yours!
Regards,
Billy
You MUST stay the course....to do otherwise, may result in long term damage to your self-esteem.
It did. It really did damage a lot in my self-esteem to the point that I became suicidal, suffering from an agonizing eating disorder, etc. But until now, I'm fighting.
I've seen on some of your comments on WA posts that you were once in the military, am I right?
Yes, in fact...I enlisted @17yrs. in an effort to make my own way, without the loving "negative nellies" constant barrage of well meaning, but spirit shattering rants.
The U.S. NAVY and my experiences cruising the Pacific, was the balm I needed to begin the healing process.
Great passion - keep striving for your goals.
Parents can be very negative but they don't mean to hold you back. It is all they understand.
Make some serious money and buy them a lovely home for their retirement when you can.
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Hello,
Your story resonates with me. When I was young my mom would shut me down for ideas that I had. At one point I even secretly sold seeds from a comic book ad to make extra money.
Till this day she gives me advice that she thinks will help me out financially. Although I've learned to just acknowledge her and just keep on doing my own thing.
Louis
Right, Louis. My father laughed at my dream when he saw the word CEO on my table, as it was ridiculous. :)
Thats one of the biggest lessons that I learned from mom. And now with my kids. If they have some big idea. I let them know that they can do it. Just gotta focus and start taking action towards it.
Louis
Yes, that's great to hear. Never discourage your children or laugh at their dreams. It affects their adulthood. :)