Whenever I get a chance after the conversation, I usually ask people this question, "What do you think about the rich people? Do you want to be rich?" I get varieties of replies and those replies at times fascinate me because once I also used to think like those people. When you ask around we get the usual replies that the rich are corrupt, crooks, cheats, greedy, uncaring and that they don't value other people etc.
Such thinking is prevalent in every country, society or family. I asked once one of my students, Parky whether he ever wanted to be rich. His reply was always no. He didn't have any ambition to be rich or earn a big money. He just wanted to get by in life and nothing much. He thought that rich people became rich only through corrupt ways, by frauds and cheating. According to his thinking money was the greatest problem in the world because it didn't make people happy. He thought people who had more money, they didn't care for others, instead they neglected them.
Parky's reasoning was that rich people didn't have any values or manners. Their main focus or priority was only money and not friendship, people, love or values. So he didn't want to be rich though he thought money was good.
There are many people like Parky who don't have good understanding, knowledge and information regarding the rich people or prosperity. They think through conventional mind and they get carried away by others' opinions. Of course there are drawbacks of rich people at the same time there are enough positive points too.
Rich people may be good or may be bad because of their ideology or philosophy. If their philosophy is correct and makes positive impact in the world then their ideology is genuine and they are too truthful. However, there are people whose philosophy is not up to the mark then they mislead the whole world. Having a good philosophy towards money, wealth, health, relationship are important and it is needed in the society.
People can be rich in two ways, tangible and intangible ways and both ways are important to create a worthwhile lifestyle. The purpose of becoming rich must be very clear and if they focus on their ultimate purpose they can be perceived as genuine and real.
Rich people are not actually bad however there are few who are corrupt and defamed ones. Rich people do feed many employees and their families by providing employment because they feel a sense of responsibility. There is nothing wrong with being rich if the motive is good and positive.
People can become rich in the following ways. I guess this explains and clarifies your doubts and questions about the rich.
People become rich by inheriting the fortunes from their parents or family. The legacy of a family continues and the fortune is inherited and shared by the respective family members. The children who inherit money from their parents get no real exposure or experience. The children reap the hard work of their parents. For some this may not appeal so much because there are few people in the world who are eligible to inherit fortunes. The percentage is less.
The second way people can become rich is by marrying for money. In other words, if you get the chance to come across rich woman or man, you can consider the offer. This again doesn't look so attractive though it is so desirable. I had an offer to marry for money, but I declined it because I didn't find any meaning or didn't give a sense of achievements. It didn't make me a person I wanted to be. It may appeal to some but not all.
The third ways people can become rich is by winning the lottery and yet the percentage of lottery winners is less. There is not much gain in it but for people it looks cool because they seem lucky and chosen. This may not work for all.
The fourth and fifth ways the people become rich is by cheap and crook. Yet the world hates the rich people who are cheap and crooked. This types of rich people are not appreciated or loved because they are fallen down in the eyes of the world. And because of these cheap and crooks, young boys and girls don't like to be rich. They don't have any ambition to be rich. People generally mix up the rich and people consider them as all bad or cheap.
The best way to be rich is by becoming an enterprising person- the entrepreneurship. Steve Jobs became an entrepreneur and today he has become a leading figure in the world. He didn't inherit the fortune, he didn't marry for money, he didn't win lotteries nor did he become rich by being cheap or crooked. He developed his own self and upon improving his skills, talents and passion, he ventured into the world of business. This is the best way to be rich and this is not bad. This way of becoming rich is the self-actualization and it is possible only when people pursue their passion, what they love truly.
Bill Gates pursued what he loved and computer was his real passion, he put all his efforts in realizing the goal. He too didn't inherit fortune, didn't marry for money, didn't win lottery, didn't play cheap or crook but he became an entrepreneur and that made a big difference in his life. He used his God's given abilities, talents, skills and love to become rich. He designed his own lifestyle.
The people who became rich through entrepreneurship are truly rich and that path is not wrong. It takes care of all people possible. It feeds workers' families by giving jobs. These rich people provide values and life support for many families. I don't think this is bad to be rich.
People should understand that getting happiness is possible in both ways being rich or not being rich. Being happy is the responsibility of individual and money is not accountable by itself. Rich people who are the founders of large organizations do care about people.
Alwed Ekka
Guide Coach Mentor
