Poor and proud.

Back in the day, long before you and I were born and during our childhood years, it is needless to say that life was way easier then. Money had alot of value, the world was very much at peace, the love and care was real, the laughter and joy was real, and in general the standard of living was high. Our parents do not necessarily have to be well to do for them to take care of us in the best way possible. Infact many of us came from poor homes but we never lacked things that we need in terms of basic amenities like food, shelter and clothing. Most of us didn't lack anything when we were much younger, not because our parents were rich, but because things we much different back then. As we grew and things started changing around our world, economic crises, wars, inflations and stuff started affecting those standards we once had but still, we adjusted quite alright.

Our parents were poor, but were also rich and proud.

A big shout out to all my sponsors and supporters. May you never lack anything in life 

Now as we can see, things are alot different from before. The growing obsession with wealth, trends and status have disrupted the way we used to see things. Even the dictionary seems to have a meaning for the word "poor" that is in support of the way the world is now. If you live on less than a dollar a day, then you're poor. You're only rich when them homies spot you cruising in the latest Benz or Bentley. You're only rich if you wear the latest rolex, you're only rich when you wear branded clothes ; The latest Gucci brand (Gucci gang!), Versace or Dolce and Gabbana is what is seen as rich now, flashy cars, expensive parties and all stuff rich people engage themselves in.

People who live in villages are also considered poor people. My mother grew up in the village and her family were among the richest. Her father had nothing in his safe. Her father had no money. How then did he become rich? He grew enough foods to feed his many wives and children. They never lack anything as long as food is concerned. They had clothes and a good roof over their head. My mom told me that he only tried to get money by selling some of his farm produce in the market to pay their school fees. When asked why he doesn't hold money he said, "the value of naira can depreciate over time, but one tuber of yam will always be one tuber of yam".

What a wise man he was! I was very lucky to have met him before he died. So if you think having no money automatically makes you poor, I think you need to think it again.

I won't leave the fact that what people perceive as rich is subjective as everyone is entitled to his opinion, we all have different needs. Alot of people fancy the kind of lifestyle those who have alot money live: extravagant parties, spicy food, flashy cars, expensive clothes you name it, and that's their own definition of rich and I don't blame them, but restricting the word "rich" to only that is where you've got it wrong. If you have to have all that for you to see yourself as rich, then that's for you only. You don't have to make it general. As they say, prospective is indeed everything.

Me, I think a person who's able to feed well, cloth well, and have a good roof over his head and enjoy basic privileges is indeed rich and anyone who's lacking in all of these or one or two of them is poor, that's my own thinking. A person can live on less than a dollar a day and be totally okay. You don't have to have money to be rich.... and what is that statement about contented again?

Thanks for reading.

Yours Layly,

❤❤❤❤