Poverty is a Mindset
I made a lot of money at a very young age. By the time I was 19 years old I was pocketing almost as much as my father. It is easy to be wasteful when you are looking at that much money coming in at such a vulnerable time in life. I married at 18 and had a Mercedes Benz, 2-bedroom townhouse filled with whatever I decided to waste money on and not a concern for my future.
But, I hated my life. I dreaded living so much that I bought materials to entertain my depressive thoughts. I gave my money out to the people around me like it would come back around tenfold next harvest season. I paid for flights, rent, phones and more for these people. Meanwhile, I was getting the soul sucked out of me at work. My mental health deteriorated rapidly and by the time I could recognize the symptoms of suicide I was $20,000 deep in debt. I was a child enslaved to the dollar while broken and seeking change.
I had to look deep within myself to start picking up the pieces. Firstly, I recognized that my inner circle was milking me like an industry cow. I had to accept that it was my doing which allowed them to suck me dry. I tolerated it and it must be cleansed. Everything had to go. It was a clearance sale. I left my wife, move states alone and threw away all of my possessions. Thousands of dollars worth of furniture, electronics and more went to the dumpster. My materialistic mentality was buried with those worldly possessions.
But, poverty conscious does not just go away at the snap of a finger or a rub of a jinn’s gulag. It takes time, patience, consideration and appreciation. One must spend time reflecting on each moment that brought them to a state of poverty. It could take months or even years to clear out all of the harmful behaviors that were crammed into your cranium as a child. It could take just as much time to replace those behaviors with beneficial ones. Here are some of the steps I took and still take to ensure I am walking in closer alignment with nature’s wealth:
Ridding myself of thoughts and ideas that I do not have enough or I need more of something. Are my needs being provided? Have I went to bed without something in my stomach? Am I being rained on when I’m sleeping? No. So I am doing something right to be in alignment with fulfillment. Express gratitude for these moments.
Being more mindful of the moments which naturally make my heart feel full and my body vibrate with emotion. A huge part of the human experience is feeling. It is not difficult to lack satisfaction in life once we take ourselves out of those moments. This could be walking in the park and enjoying the scenery. Allow that to be your serotonin instead of making purchases.
Invest in yourself. Find ways to fill your cup and treat yourself like your very own Bank of America. Be careful about how much of yourself you loan out. Balance your spiritual checkbook and assure nobody is stealing your energy. Then reinvest in what continues to give you joy in life.
Give thanks. Thank yourself for the work you do. Feeling unseen in the world can isolate someone until they feel the need to fill that space with unnecessary sins.
Gravitate towards acceptance. Accept that you have time and space to create anything for your life. Accept that humans grow as plants do and you must recognize your flowering stage isn’t until later in life. Some bloom early. Some manipulate their grow cycle to have what they want now. But, manipulation comes with consequence. And remember, you do not need that Land Rover. That life may look amazing on the outside, but wait until you have to upkeep the unseen parts to keep it going. Trust me when I say it is not worth the hassle.
Today, I make around $25,000 per year. In most major cities around America I would fall below the poverty line. But, I am able to live a happily debt-free lifestyle by choosing to only buy things that I can afford. I live a minimalist lifestyle, but by no means does that equate to frugal. I spend money on things I enjoy and value. My partner and I still raise our children, shop at our discretion, travel the world, dine-out and experience life without the feelings of monetary confinement.
I took the time to identify the lifestyle that truly brings me peace and it does not include a mansion and 12-car garage. I do not wish to own things that will burden me. I can appreciate the artistic design of a “luxury car” without the need to own it.
These realizations allowed me to understand the power of a dollar. I was able to see a direct correlation between my happiness and my financial habits. I was tripping over myself while chasing the “American Dream”. The answer to my problem was to choose myself over money and the social construct of wealth.
A rich life starts with rich thoughts and habits so treat your mind and body well. Eat quality foods that benefit your health and wellness. I often see people spend their grocery budgets stocking up on non-nutritional foods simply because you can buy 3 for $10 or buy one get one free, but those foods are filled with artificial dyes and additives that make you feel full without actually providing any nutritional value. Meanwhile, they just bought a new 4k LED television to replace the one they bought last year. Consumerism kills.
We live and die everyday through what we choose to put our energy towards. Do not allow yourself to physically and spiritually die young based on living poorly. Carry on with joy that cannot be ignored. You never know what kind of wealth could unfold when you spend more time discovering yourself instead of products.
