Strike Out Poverty

Strike Out Poverty

“How much do you earn?”
“Do you have enough?”
“Oh no, it’s too expensive!”

These are some of the major questions occupying the minds of persons when they talk about poverty. The centerpiece of the discussion is money, specifically the lack of it.

Poverty can also be related to the fear of not having enough. How many is enough? The word ‘enough’ can have different meanings to different people. Your definition of enough can lead to unrealistic expectations, which in turn, may result to feelings of frustration. The feeling of not having enough can also prevent you from being grateful for what you currently have.

Constantly filling you minds with concepts related to poverty can have consequences. Among the consequences of the ‘lack mentality’ are the following:

1. Thoughts of poverty deprive you of the opportunity to explore your hidden potentials. Concentrating on what you lack and your limits will prevent you from tapping your natural gifts or potentials. Because of this, you could be shortchanging yourself of a blissful, fulfilled, and happy life. Are you imposing limitations on yourself? How can you justify this action (or inaction)?

2. The lack mentality can limit your network of friends. This can be the case if you fail to enlarge your circle of acquaintances.

Having many acquaintances can be rewarding. One of the many advantages of interacting with people is the fusion of ideas. These ideas can alleviate your status in life. Fruition of ideas results in the fulfillment of a common goal for the good of the majority. Combined effort towards a goal is one of the many ways to strike out poverty.

3. Are you too busy? Do you have the time to enjoy the beauty of the outside world? Your craving for nature is a form of poverty. You may have money, luxurious things, and all the comforts life can bring; but you may still be unhappy and poor in spirit. Understand that happiness does not come only from material things. Happiness is a combination of things that are tangible and intangible.

4. Is your spirit high? Are you richly endowed with hope and enthusiasm? Consider yourself rich!

Even if your pocket is below the poverty line, it will soon follow your state of mind. The richness of your spirit is the motivating force that will propel you into financial abundance.

5. Who is more impoverished: a person with monetary wealth but without spiritual fulfillment, or a person with high spirits having a pocket that could hardly buy a modest meal?

If you think you’re poor just because you do not have the luxuries in life, you are missing an important point here. Material wealth can be easily lost, if you do not know how to manage it. Aim for financial literacy and spiritual richness and you will be forever rich.

6. Nowadays, peace of mind is a rare commodity. With uncertainties hovering overhead and anxiety making your legs shake, will your financial wealth guarantee your happiness?

Everyone needs financial resources for survival. But material wealth alone does not guarantee happiness. Emotions that constitute a high spirit play an unshakable role to attain happiness.

Let go of the lack mentality. Realize that you are living in a world of abundance where every one has the opportunity to prosper. In this world, it is not a question of how much you have but how you use what you have. Use it wisely.