What is Poor? What determines this So Called Status?

[Leah X]

I was reading an article I posted on my blog, and this "poor" question bothered me. What is poor?

I grew up in the projects. I was constantly told, by those teachers, those I went to school with (notice I didn't say friends?) that we, my family, were poor because we lived on Lincoln Park Circle, in Springfield.

I knew we went to the used stores a lot, shopped sales, but we always had our hair done (for all females, any age, this is important!), we were active in school, church and in the community. I played violin in the Springfield Youth Symphony, very active in the school orchestra, had private lessons. My sister ran track, was the captain of the cross country team. Now, she owns her own shop on Salem, Ms Grace. (She tried guitar, I was so glad when she gave that up!!!) We were poor, or so we were told.

Now, living in the Santa Clara district, my children were treated the same way. However, I also had them in multiple activities. My daughter played violin, but sang better (he he). My sons played multiple sports. One tried saxophone, the other excelled at many instruments. Both sons have strong business minds. My daughter is relentless in anything she puts her mind to! I am proud of them all!!! And they are so darn good looking.

My grandmother and mother used to tell us that we need to be careful what we think. In the Beginning was the Word. Thought is energy. Energy becomes something tangible. You want to be poor, that's what you will be. You want to be comfortable, so be it. Not everyone wants to be rich. Our minds don't recognize negative, so it's better to think "My children will be successful" rather than thinking "I don't want my children to be poor". Take the negative out of the second thought and you mind recognizes only "I want my children to be poor." Also, be careful how you think of others. Your negative thoughts and ill feelings will come back to haunt you, sooner or later.

Please, tell me what you think. I pray success to all who read. Success is not just monetary. It's your health, your well being. Much success to you!!!

[mozell fleming]

This is just as you say sis. A tsate of mind. I have been in middle class ha and the hood all of my life I guess. When i was in the buttermilk bottom we did what we did. If it was rolling tires for fun or building bikes from spare parts. Eating watermelon from the side of the ditch or riding on the back of the truck yelling watermelons for sale. They said we were poor but I tell you what we had some dam good times being poor as we were! I say my past is rich and I say I am rich but i don't have a platinum card from American express. Do I want one? Would I sacrife anything for those memories of the poor boy in Mississippi? Hell no cause we were not poor. We were alive and happy... but we were kids and knew only that... life was for living. Lets live today as if...

[Tanja Herron]

I can fell you on that , Because I grew up in the projects and I never new of being poor tell I got a certain age, It seem like it was to be like that. then as I got older and had kids I fond myself repeating the same thing. But I stood up and did somthing about it. I refuse to live in my Family tree, So I work and I work Hard two Jobs a day. Now I have own my owned home for ten years, my daughter is studying to be a RN and my other daughter is taking up Graphic Arts. YES! I was poor and grew up in the projects, but like you said you have to speak on your life and pray because I didten want my daughter to repeate the Family Tree.......

[Angee]

Poor??? Mmm...I grew up in the Edgemont area of Dayton(da hood) had a single Mom who worked daily and made sure that we rode the bike trail, saw the latest movies in the summer at the Sunset Drive-In and went to Shields BarB Que on Friday nights. I always had clean clothes, a warm bed and a full stomach and never had to worry whether or not my Mom was coming home. Also I was involved in school and girlscouting, also I had a Aunt & Uncle who had a home filled with love that they shared with me and all my friends. I am now a "Renaissance Woman" who has gone to college, pursued several careers and am a asset to my community. If I was poor I never knew it and I imagine by Wall Street standards I am poor now..financially that is. I am rich though with love, laughter, family, friends and spirituality.