The Haves And Have-Nots

It’s Another Podcast!

There is a lot of debate going on here in US on whether the current tax cuts should be extended, eliminated or revised.

There are some who believe that if you earn over 250,000 a year you are wealthy and need to pay a lot more in taxes.

This short podcast (5:24) is not about who should be taxed what.  Rather it is a reminder to not allow loud rhetoric to mold how you think about certain people, whether rich or poor.

Enjoy the podcast!

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

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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

Leave A Comment!
Do you have some thoughts about this?  We’d love to hear what you think.  To leave a comment if you are receiving this post via email or RSS, just click the title above and scroll to the bottom of the post and type in your comment.  If not, just scroll to the bottom of this post and type in your comment.

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For past articles, click on the, “Posts” tab above.  For past videos and podcasts, mouse over the “Posts” tab above.  Look for more videos as well as more podcasts coming soon to Confidence And Joy!

Lottery Winners Are Broke!

I am not surprised that in this economy lottery sales are up, all over the country.  Some of the information in this article may surprise you.  it may even stun you!

Have you ever seen or heard news reports about lottery winners becoming broke? Can you imagine? They have no money left!

Many lottery winners, especially those who take a lump sum are now poor. How could that possibly be? Many people think that if they could just win the lottery, their whole life would change for the best. They think that once they win all that cash, then all their problems will disappear. Therefore, week after week they buy lottery tickets, hoping to win.

I once read about a woman who won the New Jersey lottery twice! She won in 1985, and then again in 1986. She won millions. The money has been gone for a long, long time now, and she lives in a trailer. She said, “There are a lot of people out there like me who don’t know how to deal with money. Hey, some people went broke in six months. At least I held on for a few years.”

From 16.2 Million Dollars To Living On Social Security

There was a man in Pennsylvania who took home 16.2 million dollars after taxes. He had a lump sum of 16.2 million dollars! All of that money is gone and he now lives on social security. These are not isolated incidents. Circumstances just like these continue to happen repeatedly. What is the reason?

So many lottery winners are broke because winning the lottery did not change their mental attitude about finances. Receiving a big chunk of money did not change their poverty mentality. Their poor, poverty thoughts simply continued to bring to them what those thoughts have always brought to them – poverty. A recent study of people who come into a windfall shows that they will typically prioritize buying a house as number one in a list of twelve choices, while investing is at number eleven.

Who Wants To Be Poor?

I’ve never met anyone who said, “I like being poor.” It’s just the opposite, is it not? Most poor people would readily admit that they don’t like being poor. They are tired of just getting by. They are tired of scrimping and doing without just to make ends meet. They are tired of one financial crisis after another.

Perhaps you have noticed that poor people tend to talk a lot about their lack. Therein lies the problem. Those who have great lack always talk about their great lack. They will tell you all day long how lousy things are, how they never get a break and how their boss is greedy. And, worst of all, they think that none of this plight is their fault. They see themselves as victims in this cruel life. They don’t see anything changing. They see themselves destined and shackled to a life of misery, unless of course, they win the lottery.

So, what happens if they do defy the almost impossible odds? Winning the lottery may give them some cash, but it doesn’t change their mind set. They may be distracted for a while, but they still carry the same mentality wherever they go, and whatever they do. Deep down inside, they see themselves as poor and having nothing. Even though they acquire a great increase, they end up throwing it away, spending it away, or giving it away.

Where Is Your Attitude?

It is our habitual mental attitudes that do shape our lives. Our lives can and will change as we change our thoughts, and change what we dwell on. This is true for positive and negative thinking. The Bible says, “As he thinks in his heart, so is he.” That is absolutely true for positive thinking as well as negative thinking.

Negative thoughts are destructive thoughts that neutralize all your efforts and hard work. Positive thoughts are constructive thoughts that lead you to positive results.

Change your mind by focusing on the things you do desire, instead of thinking, focusing on and complaining about the way things are right now. Continue to think about where you desire to go and what you desire to accomplish.

Change always starts with thoughts first. When those thoughts get into your heart there will be change.

Mike Verdicchio