Why Are People Poor?

Today I am posting an article that I published a couple of years ago about poverty.  Just like then, I am sure today there will be people who will not agree with what I have to say.  So, see what you think.

I believe what I wrote two years ago is still true, even during these very uncertain economic times we are living in.

Poverty

The cause of poverty is not a lack of money.  Does that statement shock you? It’s true.  A lack of money may be an effect of poverty, but it is not the cause of poverty.

The cause of poverty is poverty thinking.  Poverty comes from poverty beliefs and poverty attitudes; it comes from a poverty mindset.

Not having Money Is Not Poverty

Here’s another statement that might shake you. Not having money does not mean you’re impoverished.  Let me explain.  Suppose your checkbook gets all the way to zero.  You are flat broke now.  But, being flat broke now does not mean that you will be flat broke permanently. It absolutely does not guarantee that you will forever stay flat broke.

There are countless millionaires who at one time or another were flat broke.  Why didn’t they stay flat broke?  Some have even confessed going broke a number of times.  A lack of money is not the issue.  What’s in your mind is the issue.

Why Are People In Poverty?

Have you ever asked someone who is indeed in poverty why they are in that state?  They will tell you exactly why. They will give you one poverty-minded statement after another.  They will point out every lack that they have.

They come from a poor family.  They lack education.  Good jobs are hard to come by these days.  The price of everything today is too high.  They never get a decent break like a lot of other people do.  The government doesn’t really care about them enough.

They have ingrained these thoughts into their minds and hearts. They have allowed that kind of thinking to actually take root in their heart, and become their belief system.

Is There A Choice?

What we choose to believe is what we will manifest in our lives.  This universal law works with accuracy and precision no matter who the person is and no matter what the circumstances are.

I have visited a number of foreign countries.  It is just amazing to me how anyone in the United States can stay in poverty.  There is so much wealth, abundance and opportunity in the United States that it staggers the mind.

Now just above the poverty line there are those who are just struggling to get by. Many are working very hard to make ends meet each month.  Some work two and three jobs.  They are labeled as the “lower middle class.”

They may put forth a great effort, but they still seem to get nowhere except just above the poverty line.  They will stay there because that’s what they choose to believe.

Life Is Not Luck Or Fate

So, is that their fate?  Nothing could be farther from the truth.  Are we to believe that some people are just blessed with a better life than others?  Does the God show more favor on some but less on others? No!

Once you identify and accept that you are in a certain category in life and you really believe that in your heart, that is where you will stay. It really makes no difference where you are today. Whether you qualify as in poverty, just above poverty, lower middle class or middle class, none of those descriptions really mean anything unless you continue to accept them as true for your life.

The point is, where you are today is a result of your own belief system.  Wherever you are today in life is a direct result of what you have decided to believe.

You Can Change Your Life

If you can accept that truth, you can change your circumstances because you recognize what very few ever recognize.  The power to change your life is in your brain. The thoughts that you consistently entertain will form your own personal belief system.

Change your life and your circumstances by first changing your thoughts, hour by hour and day by day.  Fill your mind with thoughts of where you want to go, not where you are today.

You may not be in poverty, but, are you where you really desire to be in your life?  If not, why not?  Do you need to change your thoughts to form a new belief system?

Get honest with yourself and really examine your thoughts.  A good indication of your thoughts is what comes out of your mouth.

You can change your life and your circumstance by changing your belief system.  And you can change your belief system by changing your thinking, one thought at a time.

Michael A. Verdicchio
2008

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What Do You Expect?

compit-emailYou have probably received emails where the sender has a personal signature, maybe even complete with a quote of some kind.  I receive those from time to time.  There are a number of people who like to put a quote, phrase, or something similar to that under their name when they send out an email.

Some of those things are funny.  Others I have found inspiring.  But a couple of years ago my son told me about something he read on an email that he received.  What he read didn’t exactly inspire him.  And, even though it was probably intended to be funny, he didn’t see the humor in it at all!

statueThe line under the signature read, “Just accept it. Some days you’re a statue and other days you’re a pigeon.”  Wow!  How’s that for a mind picture?  Someone told me several months ago it is an expression that some New Yorkers use at times.

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

First of all, my son didn’t like the “accept it” part of the quote and I don’t blame him. I don’t believe that life is determined by fate. We do not just have to accept whatever happens to us.  We have the freedom of will to take charge of our own lives.

Secondly, my son took issue with being a pigeon.  He told me that he thought that the quote was basically saying that some days you have to be a statue and have crap dumped on you, but other days, you get to be a pigeon and dump crap on others.

I’m glad he had the maturity not to just laugh it off as another “funny” example about what to expect in life.  It is sad, but there are lots of people who have this kind of attitude about life in one form or another.  They get up each day with thoughts like, “Well, let’s see what today brings.”

Do You Really Want To Live That Way?

Now that’s an interesting outlook on life isn’t it?  Get up in the morning and yawn, and say, “Gee, I wonder if I’m going to be statue today, or a pigeon?  Oh well, whatever happens, I’m just going to accept it.”

Very few people realize that what you consistently accept is what you will consistently expect, and that is what you will consistently receive.

So who ever said that we just have to “accept” everything that comes our way?  No matter what situation or circumstance you are in today, you don’t have to accept the way things are in your life.  You can choose by your own freedom of will to change your life. You really can choose to have confidence in God.  It all starts with your thoughts.

What If Things Are Lousy Right Now?

42-15530351If lousy things are happening in your life right now, and you are dealing with unpleasant situations, and you feel just like a bombarded statue, the first thing I recommend is stop dwelling on all those things.  Stop talking about that mess.  Stop focusing on that. I didn’t say to pretend it doesn’t exist; just don’t accept it as the ways things have to be in your life.

Instead, use your God-given free will to think and focus on exactly what you desire for your life.  Find a helpful method to keep your mind attuned to your desires and goals, so that you can keep those thoughts in the forefront of your mind.

Some people like to write down their goals and read them throughout the day. Others carry written affirmations with them to read during the day.  There are those who review their goals and dreams before they go to sleep and especially when they wake up in the morning.  Personally, I like to review those kinds of things early in the morning while praying and talking to God.

Do You Really Need A Method?

So few realize what is most important is what you are consistently thinking.  The write-itdominant thoughts that you carry build your own personal belief system.  The things that you attract into your life are based on your own personal belief system.

Think about it logically.  If we are supposed to “accept whatever happens,” then why did God give each and every one of us free will to choose to think whatever thoughts we want to think?  And, why did He promise to answer prayers and give you the desires of your heart?

Accepting whatever life throws at you is certainly not living life with confidence and joy.   However, it doesn’t have to be the way you go through your life. You do have a choice.  Each morning you can choose the thoughts you will carry for that day, and continue to build a positive and successful belief system.

Mike Verdicchio
2010

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