The Five Gifts of Poverty

Most people raised in the United States strive toperson is any less valuable to the community.
avoid poverty. We work 50-60 hours a week,3. Community and Creativity. When you don't
save, read investment advice and often placehave much money, companionship becomes a
value on people based on their financial status. Igreat treasure. You learn to work within your
grew up in a small town close to the Canadiancommunity. Since your not spending so much
boarder. On a world wide scale I wouldn't call mytime at work or shopping, you have time for
hometown impoverished, but on a national scale itfriends. You learn how to throw together a quick
distinctly falls far below the national averagepotluck dinner. You also learn everyone has
income levels. My aunt calls my hometown "thesomething to give and find your own gifts within
armpit of the nation" because of the harshthe spectrum. Money losses it's value. If someone
environment which has plagued economicacts with kindness you can cook them a meal or
development since it was first settled in the latebring them vegetables from your garden, but
1600's. The long dark winters are a breedingmost people are insulted when you try to give
ground for depression. Despite the economic andthem money.
climatic challenges, I like to visit often because I4. Time and Friendship. Some people are poor
like to reaffirm my value system. Most of mybecause they cannot find fulltime work, or cannot
friends in my hometown struggle to survive andhandle fulltime work. This gives them much more
yet they are happy most of the time. Here are afree time. If they do not have money to waste
few things I've observed about their life. I callon retail items, they have more time to spend on
these the gifts of poverty.meaningful activities such as time with friends and
1. Simplicity. When you don't have much money,family, time outdoors, or time being creative.
your choices are fewer. It creates a simpler5. The Value of Money. Despite overwhelming
lifestyle and less anxiety. Researchers say theodds, I learned how to use and appreciate
human mind gets overwhelmed by too manyeverything money could do for me--how to save,
multiple choices. Let's say you drive an old junkerlive on next to nothing and how to make a wise
car and it breaks down. You decide whether toinvestments. I put myself through college and
take the bus for awhile, or how you'll go aboutlearned to carefully evaluate my purchases and
fixing your old car. You don't have the option oftherefore value my possessions. At the same
thinking about which of the many new models oftime, I know nothing is more important than life
cars and trucks you are going to buy. Andand at a certain level my material possessions
therefore you make a decision and don't wastemean nothing to me. It's my experience of life
any time ruminating over an impossible obstacle.and those who share my journey that are
2. Empathy. People who struggle or suffer loss ofimportant.
any kind are far more likely to empathize withThese lessons of poverty served me well though
others. Most of my childhood friends who stayedout my lifetime. I've always been able to live on
in my hometown may not have fat bankless than what I make, and I enjoy my life. I'm
accounts, but when someone has a fund raisergrateful that I know people are always more
for a member of the community who's in need,important than possessions. I like the options that
the whole town shows up and gives generously.money can buy and I'm glad I'm no longer poor,
As a kid, I was expected to help shovel sidewalksbut I will always be grateful I wasn't raised with a
for senior citizens, give up my bus seat to adultssilver spoon or in a culture that values net worth
and help my community. I learned everyone canmore than the worth of a soul.
have difficult times but it doesn't mean that