I was taught it is not a shame to be poor: just don’t look poor, don’t behave as if you are poor. And I think if I have to judge myself on that one, I did okay – no one would be able to see my occasional lack of cash flow.
I recently read an article where the author was taught the same principle; his version was only don’t think poor. I started wondering – do I think “poor?”….
I am well aware that poverty is not only measured in economic terms. I am also well aware that we can ask the questions “Who are the poor?”; “What is being poor?” But then don’t we all have a poverty of being?
What do I look like when I think poor? Will any one be able to notice that I am “thinking poor?” Of course the typical thinking would be “I don’t deserve this”; “I will not be able to afford that”; “I am not capable”; “I am what I am”. But still I am not satisfied that this is my way of thinking – I am realistic: I know what is in my bank account; I know what is in my purse. I am well aware what I can afford and what not. I am well aware of what I am able and capable of doing and what not.
While I was still searching for an answer for my own question I was wondering if I even asked the right question? If I wonder about thinking poor, what do I allow myself to think about? If I know that I cannot afford something, do I accept that I will never have it, or do I allow myself to dream that I might have it someday. What is it that I want, what is it that I still dream about, or am I too “poor” to still dream? And after I have allowed myself to dream, what do I do about my dreams? Do they stay dreams?
I have come to realize that yes; it is my thinking that is “poor”. Yes, I do restrict myself. And I restrict myself by too easily accepting that I cannot afford something, I too easily think that I can do without something, I too easily think that I will be okay. I too easily give up what I want.
When we struggle to dream we are very likely in survival mood. We only live from day to day or from one pay cheque to the other. To dream and to reach for the dream, we need a flow of inspiration. We need energy!!
So, is the next question where do I get energy? Can I buy it from the shelf of the local pharmacy? Do I need money for energy?
We are able to create our own energy, because of whom and what we are. We were created as creative beings, meaning we create our own future: which includes our dreams. When we stop dreaming, we actually stop living – we only survive!
Poor thinking is: to stay where you are; to repeat the pattern of daily and monthly coping, year after year. Dreaming gives us hope for the future, it gives us the possibility to improve our own and others’ lives, it gives us the opportunity to reach potential.
How can I end poor thinking? By not trying to change my life and the world in limited time, but to start small, and the smallest thing that I can do is to dream!!!!