Changing My View of Life

The Power and Perception of Money

Money is power; nothing can surmount the value of money, or so people say. When I heard this remark, thoughts ceaselessly fluttered throughout my mind, trying to assess the concept of money. Money tends to turn humans into peons. It is a decisive force that, with the power it wields, tends to deprave our humanity. I was deluded into despair, creating envy and malice towards others. Spoiled and egocentric would describe my past self. Nothing mattered more than my possessions. Until a pandemic hit my family, changing my view of life.

Changing My View of Life

Self-awareness is often developed in the spring of youth. My youth was filled with teasing since I was a stubby child. I was very self-aware of my condition, but the teasing did not bother me. During this time frame, the Power Balance bracelets were a viral sensation. The bracelets claimed to boost your strength and balance, which in reality only caused a placebo effect (Smith, 2010). It did not take long for these bracelets to infiltrate the school. A spiffed-up boy wore the bracelet and waved his arms intriguingly, making everybody yearn for one. I winced at his egotism while others praised him like a hero. Their reaction mystified me, and rage started to build inside me. I envied him and wanted to be praised as well. From that time on, I envied everybody's possessions.

As if to halt my rampage, a pandemic struck the United States. The whole ordeal began when stockholders withdrew their stocks simultaneously, causing unemployment around the country (Johnson & Lee, 2020). A tremendous amount of people were left astray. The factory where my dad worked filed for bankruptcy, which led to his unemployment. Since we were a family of three, my mother did not distress over labor. My dad's income was plentiful and would even have enough to spoil me. My daily dosage of goods started to gradually disappear, and it became apparent that I was not going to regain my privileges anytime soon.

Under these conditions, my father managed to find a temporary job as a gardener. My mother started to make Mexican delicacies called tamales. Tamales are considered to be very arduous and time-consuming to make in Mexico. Although to her, cooking is like second nature. Hours passed by as she finished her masterpiece. I would watch her gracefully manipulate the ingredients as she worked on her craft. My mother woke up really early to prepare and sell them to people to gain extra cash. My parents hesitantly decided to cut the cable and sell one of the two cars they owned.

As the only child, I watched interminable hours of work just to scrape by for the week. I never witnessed someone put so much effort into their work with a smile. I was baffled by how my mother cooked and sang to the endless ranchera (Mexican music); how my father left with a determination that could defeat dragons and came back spewing out corny jokes, being the only one laughing. I was mad at myself for being the sour one in the bunch, feeling left out of the enjoyment. Rather than feeling sorry for myself, I decided to help my mother in any way. I started to take care of simple chores to relieve some of my mother’s burden. My dad was pleased with how I assisted my mother.

On an exhausting day, my father planted himself beside me while I scribbled math equations on my desk. His chair creaked as he leaned towards me to examine my work. Creases folded across his forehead, questioning the content of the paper. With a blank stare, I looked at him, and he said, “You don't worry about us; we are working for you to have everything to succeed. I will work and support you alongside your mother. I am no expert in academics, but you have a good head on your shoulders. Make the most of your intelligence and become whatever you want. Because I know that you can accomplish your dreams, and we do too. So for now, just focus on your studies and leave the labor to us.” I was shocked and did not utter a word throughout my father's eye-opening lecture.

Reflecting on the Transformation

Indeed, it is certain that I became what I envied so much. I became an ignorant, spoiled child that only pleaded for luxury. Blinded by my greed, I did not give a light of day to my surroundings. My humanity was being ingurgitated by the darkness slowly staining my heart, but my father cleansed me with his words of wisdom. I am grateful to my parents and promised them to start viewing life with a smile.

References:

• Johnson, R., & Lee, T. (2020). Economic Impacts of the Pandemic on the United States. Journal of Economic Studies, 45(3), 123-145.
• Smith, J. (2010). The Placebo Effect and Its Implications in Modern Society. Psychology Today, 21(4), 78-89.