Breaking Free from Poverty Scars: My Journey to Embracing Wealth

The Lasting Impact of Poverty

It's not poverty that stains you. It's the scars left behind. Poverty Scars, I have recently given myself permission to become rich. It took me until now, age 44, to truly give myself permission. While I thought the moment would be triumph, it wasn't. It was met with a thud; the chains were still there. Have you ever felt chains you couldn't see?


Discovering the Science of Getting Rich

How I came to this conclusion was when I pulled the book "The Science of Getting Rich" by Wallace D. Wattle off my bookshelf. After I was done, I believed it was my duty to get rich to care for my family and myself and help my community. I have always wanted to buy some well-made, expensive black jeans without thinking about the price. But I had a mental block that wouldn't allow me to lean into what I read. There was something in between me taking in the ideas and owning them. I felt the pull and the friction that comes with wanting something different.


Focusing on Building Something New

"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - Socrates


I wanted to focus my energy on building something new. One day, I was driving to get gas, and I was comparing prices like I usually do. I knew I could get gas somewhere else cheaper, so I decided to just put 5 dollars in the tank for now to buy me time. The gas price was $3.10 per gallon. Mind you, my car takes 15 gallons of gas.


Breaking Free from the Poverty Scar

As I was driving away from the gas station, it hit me. I had the money to fill the tank up, but I didn't because I was trying to save a few cents per gallon. But where did this come from? Why was this so important to me? I realized I had a poverty scar around gas prices. When I was younger, I remember my father, a hard-working man, always paying attention to the gas price. I rarely ever saw him fill up. He would get $10 here and $5 there, etc. I'm sure he had his reasons. 

When I became an adult, I rarely ever filled up my tank. I remember filling up the tank if I rented a car, only then because it was required. It seemed as though if I put all that money out for gas at once, I would be missing out on something or running out of money.

After leaving the gas station that day, I made a conscious decision to fill up my tank the next time I needed gas, regardless of the cost. I knew I had to break free from the poverty scar that had been holding me back. The first time I filled up my tank, it was challenging not to fixate on the price. However, as I stood there watching the numbers climb, I felt a newfound sense of freedom wash over me. I realized that I had the means to afford a full tank of gas, and that knowledge empowered me. 

The second time I filled up, it was easier. Filling my tank no longer held the same emotional weight it once did. While I still find myself automatically glancing at gas prices out of habit, I now make a conscious effort to remind myself that my poverty scar is healing. Each time I fill up my tank, I am taking a small but significant step towards breaking free from the limitations of my past and embracing a more abundant future. How about you? What small steps can you take today towards your freedom?


Reflection: Identifying and Addressing Poverty Scars

We all carry scars from our past, shaping how we view money and abundance. Recognizing and healing these scars is crucial, not just for financial freedom, but for our overall well-being. Instead of dwelling on past limitations, what new story can you write for yourself?

Journal Prompts:

  1. What is one poverty scar that you have identified in your life, and how has it been holding you back?
  2. What steps can you take today to start healing this poverty scar and break free from its limiting beliefs and embrace a more abundant life?

Remember, acknowledging your poverty scars is the first step towards healing and growth. Be kind and compassionate with yourself as you embark on this journey of self-discovery and transformation.

Vulnerability: What I Learned from J.Cole's Moment of Truth

Vulnerability: What I Learned from J.Cole's Moment of Truth


A Moment That Stopped Me in My Tracks

Yesterday, while scrolling through my feed, I stumbled upon J. Cole's heartfelt words at the Dreamville Festival in North Carolina, where he openly regretted a diss track against Kendrick Lamar. "The lamest s--- I ever did in my life," he confessed. The internet had its opinions, but something about his apology struck a chord with me.


Why J.Cole's Courage Speaks to Me

Amid the sea of comments branding him "soft" or accusing him of "running from a fight," I perceived something strikingly different—a rare and often misunderstood strength in vulnerability. J. Cole, in that very public moment, chose authenticity over pretense, prompting me to reflect on my own battles with vulnerability and the facades we construct to protect our insecurities. It also led me to consider how attacking others often serves as a shield for our own insecurities and missteps. Aka, the beliefs many of us men have grown up with around manhood. One comment that resonated with me was "I would never." But the real question is, would you have the courage to hone your craft, put it out there for the world to critique? Probably not. 


A Personal Battle with Shame

I've been there—hiding my fears, swallowing my truths, all because of the expectations of "being a man." We're taught to man up and never show weakness, as if our worth is measured by our stoicism. But watching J.Cole stand in his truth, I felt a kinship—an understanding that maybe it's time to dismantle these barriers we build around our hearts. What is clear to me from J.Cole's apology is he has figured out a way to not be trapped in shame. He spoke what needed to be spoken so he no longer had to carry around the shame of it. What a freeing space to be in—a space I am working towards in my own life.


Part of dealing with shame and guilt. Is admitting we feel it. And finding the strength to work through it. Rather that be by writing or talking to someone we love and trust. We don't need to suffer in silence any longer. You can't stand up straight while carrying the weight of the world. Only when you release it can you. 


My Journey Towards Authenticity

This isn't about J. Cole or Kendrick Lamar; it's about you and me. It's about the courage it takes to face our flaws, admit our mistakes, and step into the light of vulnerability. J. Cole's public apology was a reminder that there's freedom in owning our stories, in laying bare our truths, even when the world expects us to wear an unbreakable veneer.


Finding Freedom in Vulnerability

Part of dealing with shame and guilt is admitting we feel it and finding the strength to work through it, whether that be by writing or talking to someone we love and trust. We don't need to suffer in silence any longer. You can't stand up straight while carrying the weight of the world. Only when you release it, can you truly stand tall. This realization has been pivotal in my journey towards authenticity, offering a clear path out of the shadows of unspoken fears and into the light of genuine self-expression.


Two weeks ago, I bought this blog site, but J.Cole's moment of vulnerability finally inspired me to write my first post. If his honesty can be a beacon for someone like me, perhaps sharing my journey can offer you the same thing. You might be wrestling with societal expectations, personal shame, or just searching for a space to be authentically you.


Let's Start a Conversation

Is it weakness to admit we're wrong, or is it the very fabric of our strength? This question isn't just rhetorical; it's a doorway to a deeper conversation about vulnerability, masculinity, and the liberating power of truth.


I know society sends mixed messages about what it means to "be a man." We're told to open up, yet when we do, the backlash can be swift and severe. But here's the thing: if J.Cole can face his truth with the world watching, we can too, even if it's just within the pages of this blog or the confines of our minds.


What does vulnerability mean to you? How can we support each other in embracing our truths, no matter how uncomfortable? This blog is more than just my thoughts; it's a space for us to grow together, to challenge the norms, and to find our own path, just like J.Cole did.

I'm here, sharing my story, hoping it reaches you at the right moment. Let's take this journey together, one step at a time. Let me know what you think in the comments below. 


Huge Side Note!!

J.Cole's mention of K.Lamar's height did give me pause—it's a reminder we've still got a ways to go in how we chat about height. But, I didn't want a couple of lines to distract from the bigger picture of embracing vulnerability and making strides forward.