Are poor people lazy and lack discipline?

 

I was privileged to get caught in a traffic diversion last week which forced me to drive through a neighbourhood I would not have under normal circumstances.

Many young children played in the road unattended. Young boys and sat on the walls of their homes rapping, getting their hair combed by young girls.

Men who appear to be the age of pensioners were doing odd jobs, many appeared to have appliance fix it shops or upholstery shops. 

 

And mothers were walking in blazing hot sun with babes in arms. 

These scenes reminded me of many people very close to my own heart.  I have aunts that have worked for the same company for 20 years, never absent, never late, always willing to work overtime, yet the first to be laid off.  Cousins that work two jobs just to make ends meet.  Guys that leave home at 5am, return at 10pm after having worked long hard hours labouring for minimum wage.

What saddened me by these thoughts and scenes was not the fact that they worked so hard for little to nothing.  Many financially successful people would admit that for many years they did the same, in fact they did it just to lose money at times.

I was saddened that society has deemed these people as lacking discipline and ambition. That their lazy mentality and low work ethic are the primary reasons for their situation. 

Well if you haven't figured out by now...I like to challenge things so of course I beg to differ. Today reminded me just how hard "poor people" work.  It takes discipline like none other to wake up at 4am to cook food, before getting ready to go fight for public transport and go to a job that pays just enough to help you survive. 

So if it's not a lack of ambition, low work ethic, indiscipline or laziness, that causes the fate of some, then what is it?

What then is the real reason?

It is my opinion that the difference between those that make it and those that stay stuck is vision and self confidence. It is believing that a better life is possible and daring to go after it. It is having a sense of self worth, challenging society's status quo. 

If the mum that worked hard all her life decided that she was going to put all that effort into something other than making someone else rich, imagine the life she could achieve.

What if the delivery guy refuses to take up a second job but instead uses the lack of sleep on his own dreams?

If the pensioner opened an appliance store at the age of 18 rather than at 60 and taught his children and grand-children to do the same? 

I know you're saying..."if only it were as easy as dreaming and believing" 

I can see why you'd think believing in a dream and going after it NO MATTER WHAT may seem hard.  After all the other option is so easy right? 

 

As always my blogs are not meant to offend anyone. They are written with nothing but love and in hope that we can grow together and give the next generation a head start. My wish is that we may all believe that we are worth diamonds and pearls. That our children deserve the very best life has to offer. That we may one day live without limitations of time, health and money. That one day we may truly be free.

From my heart to yours

Marsha L. Riley