I want to make one thing clear right away: I don’t wish hard times upon anyone.

I would love it if life was always smooth sailing for you and your family. But that’s simply not realistic (and if you’ve been reading my blog, you know I’m not afraid to face hard realities, even if they’re not always rosy!).

Okay, so hard times will happen. You might encounter health issues, relationship problems, financial turmoil…all pretty terrible, right?

Not necessarily. These are GROWING opportunities, a chance to learn and stretch yourself.

I have found that when we’re challenged in life, we become stronger and wiser. We learn to be better prepared for the next challenge down the road.

Your path to Self-Wealth is going to be filled with bumps and wrong turns. You might struggle with your Purpose or your Financial Security. You might experience times of extreme Hopelessness. My advice to you is to take a step back (I know, easier said than done!) and think about your situation from a macro lens. You will get through it. You are resilient and strong. You have resources you can tap into, such as counselors or financial advisors.

With determination, a strategy, and some outside help, you will make it through. And when you do, you’ll have gained a world of knowledge!

When I was growing up, my family wasn’t rich. I had to work hard for every dollar. Times were NOT always easy, but I managed and I worked hard to get to where I am today.

Looking back, I appreciate the hard times and hard work. They made me understand the value of a dollar. They gave me an appreciation for everything I had, both in a material and non-material sense.

I remember wanting a pair of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans—they were popular at the time, but pricey. I worked long hours, saved my money, and finally purchased those jeans. And you know what?

I truly appreciated them.

I took excellent care of them so they would last. They were a treasured possession and I did NOT take them for granted. I wore them with pride and remembered how hard I had to work to acquire them.

The lessons I learned from hard times/hard work stuck with me. They gave me a strong work ethic, made me grateful for what I have, and also showed me the value of nonmaterial parts of our lives, such as experiences and relationships with family and friends.

Even though some situations are difficult when you’re in them, they offer an opportunity to grow, stretch yourself, and learn about the things that are truly important in life.

What are some of the “Gloria Vanderbilt jeans” you’ve had to work for in your life?

 

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