Isn't it disparaging and enlightening at the same time, that, the only difference between you and the girl next door, or for that matter, your househelp, is the place of your birth ?
Recently, I was introduced to one of my dads personnel, a petite woman, with average features and a pleasant countenance. For some reason, the very sight of her left me intrigued, and i knew for sure, she was the one my dad was telling me about the other day. " She is the breadwinner for her family" he had said, "the only working member, looking after an entire family of six, by doing a 9am-7pm job (for six days a week) and three tuitions thereafter." She earned a total of 10 Thousand, a month, for all the drudgery. At the age of only 20, just four years older than me, she had seen and overcome troubles that i had merely read about. She made me question my lifestyle. She gave me so much to think about. The simplicity in her appearance, and the confidence in her voice that came from her sheer excellence at work, had caught my heart. Just then, a thought hit me. She would never have spent 2 Thousand, a good 20 percent of her earnings, on getting her hair streaked red, unlike me.
It was a moment of realization.
It finally started to sink in, things my parents had been telling me everyday. Simplicity and elegance, were indeed, striking features of a woman's personality. A well painted face or an extravagant attire wont buy me the more important, and valuable designations in life. There are people much capable than me, working at wages lower than the expenditure at one of my shopping sprees. So, yes, I might have reasons to be thankful, but, not comfortable yet.
"Explore the possibilities, work hard, and if you like expensive stuff, you might as well earn it."
She will remain an inspiration.
Owing to this little pool of thoughts and the fire she lit in me, I had vowed I was going to make the rest of my life, the best of my life, and the difference between me and the thousand other girls next door, would not just be owing to the digits in my dads account, but my capabilities.
Recently, I was introduced to one of my dads personnel, a petite woman, with average features and a pleasant countenance. For some reason, the very sight of her left me intrigued, and i knew for sure, she was the one my dad was telling me about the other day. " She is the breadwinner for her family" he had said, "the only working member, looking after an entire family of six, by doing a 9am-7pm job (for six days a week) and three tuitions thereafter." She earned a total of 10 Thousand, a month, for all the drudgery. At the age of only 20, just four years older than me, she had seen and overcome troubles that i had merely read about. She made me question my lifestyle. She gave me so much to think about. The simplicity in her appearance, and the confidence in her voice that came from her sheer excellence at work, had caught my heart. Just then, a thought hit me. She would never have spent 2 Thousand, a good 20 percent of her earnings, on getting her hair streaked red, unlike me.
It was a moment of realization.
It finally started to sink in, things my parents had been telling me everyday. Simplicity and elegance, were indeed, striking features of a woman's personality. A well painted face or an extravagant attire wont buy me the more important, and valuable designations in life. There are people much capable than me, working at wages lower than the expenditure at one of my shopping sprees. So, yes, I might have reasons to be thankful, but, not comfortable yet.
"Explore the possibilities, work hard, and if you like expensive stuff, you might as well earn it."
She will remain an inspiration.
Owing to this little pool of thoughts and the fire she lit in me, I had vowed I was going to make the rest of my life, the best of my life, and the difference between me and the thousand other girls next door, would not just be owing to the digits in my dads account, but my capabilities.
