Money can be too funny at times. We need it like it’s a natural resource. However, those who have the most have some of the craziest issues keeping them up late at night.

by Liya Endale.  Posted:  Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Money doesn’t cry. And money doesn’t bleed. Money doesn’t fulfill our intangible needs.

Let me share with you what I have learned through the process of not having too much money in my life. I’ve learned to rely on my family for emotional support to carve my own path and identity in this life. I’ve learned that a dollar saved is a dollar earned, so really I’m working time and a half plus some when I put my money away. I’ve learned that this world does not and will not act like it owes me jack. I’ve learned to prioritize the things I want. I’ve learned that the feeling you get when you finally get that thing you’ve had to sacrifice and save and work for. That feeling is a million times better than being given everything you could possible want. I’ve learned that less is more. I’ve learned to say “I love you” instead of “Give me…” I’ve learned how to be thoughtful when thinking of a birthday present for a loved one. I’ve learned that a thoughtful gift brings tears of joy that a new expensive outfit can never conjure up. I’ve learned how to be creative and realized that this world can’t offer me much that I can’t already make for myself. I’ve learned compassion. I’ve gained understanding. I’ve learned to recognize and appreciate the peace of mind that comes with having enough to have everything you need and a little of what you want.

Recently, I’ve had several discussions with people about the difference between people who have acquired wealth in this country and those who are now beginning to build their wealth. I realize that those of us who are acquiring wealth have a different mentality on life than those who have had their wealth passed down to them. The crazy thing about our differences is that each of us claims to ‘be blessed.’ At the same time, we pity each other for the things the other missed out on in life. This phenomenon blows my mind and it has forced me to contemplate the true meaning of being blessed. How can the term ‘blessing’ be associated with such material objects and be stripped of its spiritual connotation? As Biggie Smalls said, “Mo’ money, Mo’ problems.” Though my family does not live in an ornate home with extra bedrooms and living space, we tell each other we love each other. Even though we get on each others’ nerves we know that our love is unconditional and each of us puts our family before our personal gain. We don’t have a huge house but we have an impenetrable home. Is that not the true blessing? I have a theory about why families in large homes are stratified. They each live in their own space in the home where shared spaces become obsolete. How, then, can you expect a teenager to communicate with his/her parents if they never even share a space with them?

I’ve had to work since I was legally able in order to generate my own money for things like clothes, movies, my car, and any other spending money. My needs were taken care of but everything else has been my responsibility. Now, I know that working hard will do nothing but benefit me. Cutting corners in life may get me somewhere faster, but when I arrive, I will not be equipped with the skills to manage the responsibility of that new place. Is that not a true blessing?

In my family, we talk about how we feel about each other, politics, history, religion, and everything else. This communication was fostered through the amount of time we spent together through unfamiliar territory. So many times, our family was the only refuge we had in strange places we traveled through. Those were difficult times for all of us, but the relationship we have gained because of those times is priceless and can not be removed with a failing economy. Is that not a true blessing?

I may be wrong, but I have prayed that I grow up to not have too much money. I see the types of strains it puts on individuals and families. Greed, complacency and selfishness begin to set in eventually and I am not immune to these diseases. In fact, too much money seems to be more of a curse very few people have escaped in my experience. So, perhaps, for some they may see their handed-down wealth as a blessing and I truly hope it is. For me, however, my blessings come from a different source which make me feel more connected to God than money and houses and cars ever can and that is my blessing.