Do You Deserve to Live in Prosperity?
Prosperity, wealth, and success can be viewed from multiple angles. While financial abundance is one aspect, it is not the only facet of life. You might have more money than the average person, but you might also have less of other things like intelligence, beauty, happiness, or health. It is not inherently unfair to have an advantage in one area of life.
Prosperity and Relative Success
The world is not a zero-sum game. Just as a supermodel does not feel guilty for their looks, nor should you feel guilty for your wealth. Society is relative, and your prosperity comes from the fact that many others are less fortunate. An unintelligent person can still benefit greatly from the work of more intelligent individuals. The creation of technology, medicines, and so much more is a testament to the importance of diversity in abilities and intelligence.
Using Prosperity Wisely
One does not need to feel envious of wealth to see the benefits of using it responsibly. Wise distribution of wealth can benefit more people than merely spreading it out equally. Instead of everyone having one dollar, a wealthy individual can hire teachers to educate the poor about earning money, leading to long-term improvements in their lives.
The One Percent and Beyond
Perception plays a significant role in how we view the wealthy. Some see them as deserving through hard work, while others view them as entitled, useless, or simply living off their inheritance. How you view the 1% reflects not only on the wealthy but on yourself. Are you deserving of your prosperity? Have you earned it through hard work and dedication?
Examining how people in poorer countries view the wealthy is enlightening. Those who do the bare minimum and arrive late may see the wealthy as living off pointless trinkets, while those who work hard admire the determination of the successful.
The Role of Education in Prosperity
Educational opportunities are key to rising above your current situation. Just as your ancestors came to a new land with nothing but a willingness to work, so too can you. There is no shame in starting from a disadvantaged position; the shame is in not striving for a better future. Your luxurious life is not merely handed to you; it is the result of hard work and determination.
Use the tools of wealth that you have been given to better yourself and improve the lives of those around you. Your actions today can have a lasting impact on future generations. By working hard and striving for success, you can provide your children and their children with a better starting point, potentially reaching levels of prosperity that seemed unattainable today.