What we see physically as poverty is more of a state of mind, manifesting in various ways in conditions and actions, utterances and thoughts are included as actions. Quite often, the environment and circumstances in which people experience their living and activities usually reflect the state and conditions which the people themselves have created. Therefore, the principal medium of bringing about changes and alterations in the fortunes and circumstances of any individual is the thought process, which we can call personal volition.
Poverty is not a virtue, neither is it an attribute of a truly developed state of being, unless where it is necessity as a means of some atonement. When those who had created deficiencies and imbalance in the past have learned their lessons through experiencing poverty, then, better conditions would emerge eventually. The process of development and maturity does not tolerate one-sidedness, making it necessary that every person must have varieties of experiences and life’s conditions.
Foremost in the requirements to break the jinx of poverty is the application of the power of personal volition, expressed in thinking and value orientation. There must be a definite purpose or goal which encapsulates an individual’s mission in life. Then, such mission statement must dominate the mind with persistence and a genuine volition to see the desired condition become a reality. A success-conscious state of mind is better than pessimism.
Anyone wishing to have a successful life, away from humiliating poverty, should recognise the fact that opportunities to make a change for the better can come in the guise of misfortunes. Without a personal mission statement to which one is committed and truly convinced about, great opportunities coming in the guise of misfortunes or crisis, can be misused or ruined.
One of the most common causes of failure is the habit of quitting when one is overwhelmed by temporary defeats.
A second guideline in the regime of breaking the jinx of poverty is the recognition of a psychological law which stipulates that a dominant state of mind is beginning of the attraction and eventual achievement of any desire. A worthwhile goal or desire must not end in the mind but effort must be made to transform it into a reality. This would require planning definite ways and means to achieve the goal; following up such plan with persistence, conviction, enthusiasm and determination. Visualise the goal always.
Without personal conviction, faith can hardly arise and what gives impetus to conviction includes the justice or value of what is being desired. A goal or desire which does not further the well-being of humanity cannot be nourished with conviction because it would lack the justice and value of an instrument of human up-building.
The human intuitive faculty works best when individual desire or goal carry furthering values which can enhance rather than debase the collective good of humanity generally. An earnest volition should carry purity.
To break the jinx of poverty would demand the application of experiences and knowledge which have been organized and utilised before, to improve the conditions of humans. A rich or educated person is not the one who has or knows everything, but the one who knows how to get, organise and utilise available resources to improve conditions. Knowledge includes getting what you want without violating the law or putting the well-being of others in jeopardy. To take right decisions demands the ability to apply such experiences and knowledge which had been of relevant help in the past, in specific contexts.
Having embarked on a task considered worthwhile, it is right to see it to a logical conclusion, rather than quit because there are obstacles. Past bitter experiences should become challenges and spur one to do better in the future. Bear in mind that no single person knows everything; therefore, learn to work with and utilize the experiences of other people. This demands humility and unassuming attitude, rather than conceit. Link your efforts with the right people you need to help make your plans succeed.
To make a positive change demands unswerving courage derived from a personal conviction and the worth whileness of the purpose at hand. Self-control and self-discipline demand the avoidance of anything unethical but the cultivation of a keen sense of justice and fair-play. Success in any task demands doing more than monetary rewards, i.e. going the extra mile.
Willingness to take rather than dodge responsibility is vital for great achievement. This would include cultivating a pleasant personality, showing respect and understanding for others, co-operation rather than confrontation with those around you, and not underrating the intelligence or ability of anyone. We need other people towards enhancement of our efforts for a successful life. Poverty has something to do with personal deficiencies which must be corrected.
Unfavourable hereditary or family background which hinder a free expression that stifle the mind can account for poverty. Indolence, lack of personal initiatives and ambitions, fear and a complacent attitude are not success-friendly. Fear kills dreams, hopes and aspirations, and, anyone wishing to break the jinx of poverty must not allow fear to keep him back from his dreams and hopes. Neither must indoctrinations which stress fears and docility be allowed to destroy personal aspirations.
Breaking the jinx of poverty demands an individual to take some bold steps, speak up and offend where necessary, rather than die in silence. Neither must anyone become a door-mat for others to trample upon. Other personal deficiencies associated with poverty, include procrastination, unbridled sexual appetite, unethical lifestyle which wants to get something for nothing, unstable family life manifesting on lingering disharmony. Poverty will flee where there is success-conscious state of mind, coupled with diligence and patience.