Your Actions+ Choices +Decisions= Poverty or Wealth

Fourteen-year-old Gregory Paulson believed that fate or destiny was giving him a gift when he heard that Simon Daniels, the famed and highly wealthy motivational speaker, would be a guest speaker at his community center.

He heard him on a talk show two nights ago, talking about the value of wealth and poverty's decisions.

Gregory found his words powerful and intriguing and wished he could have met him. He had one question for him.

Being poor was pain. Pain for his single mother and the struggles she must endure providing for her three children. Misery, when she must go to work even when she is too tired to think. Agony, when she can't provide enough to feed her children. Torment, when she can't spend enough time getting to know the children, she bought into this world because of her financial restraints. Regrets, because life must be their teacher at a very young age. And grief because he and his two sisters must raise themselves. Marcia Paulson was a mother in name only because of poverty.

Gregory decided that he wasn't going to be poor forever.

He had one question for Mr. Daniels. So, he arrived at the center three hours before the guests arrived.

Helping Mr. McNeal set everything up, he secured a seat at the front for himself.

Half an hour before the guest arrived, excited people filled the community center to the capacity.

He fought to control himself as Mr. Daniels strolled on stage and greeted the audience. Before he was finished, Gregory's right hand unconsciously shot up into the air.

With raised brows and an eager smile, Mr. Daniels encouraged, "Go ahead, young man."

Gregory nervously stood up as someone rushed over, handing him a microphone.

He cleared his throat and let out, "Two nights ago, I was watching you on the Mike Lindsay Show. You said, 'my wealth isn't my earthly possessions.' Yet, according to Forbes magazine, you valued more than three hundred million dollars."

The audience gasped, and Gregory went on. "If your cars, real estate, jewelry, works of art, whatever you collect and own, etc., isn't. Then what is?"

Mr. Daniels smiled, thinking aloud, "For ten years, I have been repeating those words. How old are you, son?"

"Fourteen years old, Sir," Gregory answered.

"You are the first person to ask this question. I love the way you think," he congratulates in amazement. Silence briefly strolled in, then Mr. Daniels informs, "my actions, choices, and decisions are my wealth."

"Why, Sir?"

Smiling widely, Mr. Daniel teased, "I think you know the answer."

Beaming like a light in the darkness, Gregory explodes, "The correct equation of all three allows you the opportunity to achieve wealth. While the incorrect equation will take all or some of your wealth away."

In awe, Mr. Daniels asserted, "Young man, my organization would like to pay for your education to college and anywhere else you would like to go. I am also offering you a job."

Grinning, Gregory releases in appreciation, "Thank you, Sir, but I am only fourteen."

"Your thinking and your brain aren't," Mr. Daniels adds in admiration.

He went on to say, "many of us aren't aware, but no matter how much you know, or how many opportunities or resources you have, your poverty and wealth sit on your actions, choices, and decisions."

What about you? What do your actions, choices, and decisions sit on?

This piece was inspired by all of the poor people I know. Going back into their lives, I see what contributes to their poorness.

Slavery is often blamed by many in my race for their deficiency.

I have seen, know, and witnessed that slavery isn't the only cause of my people's difficulty living a good life. Humans contribute to their poverty too.

Sadly, many of them can't see it.

Can you?

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoy it.