Prosperity TVam speechless..
[I posted this on my Instagram feed yesterday. I received so many touching and heartfelt responses on the way it spoke to so many people, that I decided to reprint it for you here. Minus the abbreviations and space limitations.]
My #tbt pic brings me a lot of memories. Bad ones.
I was the kid with buckteeth, my mom cut my hair using a bowl on my head, and my clothes were cheap hand-me-downs from my big brother. I detested being poor and made a solemn promise to myself that when I grew up, I would become a millionaire.
I went to school with rich kids. At least they seemed rich to me, because they had their own rooms and their families went on real vacations. My mom was selling Avon all day to raise her three kids, so we couldn’t take vacations. I hated those kids and lived in resentment and jealousy, determined to become wealthy so I could come back and rub it in the faces of all of them.
Then I did become a millionaire. So I started collected exotic cars, buying $50K watches, and all of the things to prove to everyone that I had fuck-you money. (All of the swag shit you see the posers here on Instagram showing, only for me, I really had that stuff.)
But an interesting thing happened in the process…
I picked up some insights and wisdom along the way. I thought I wanted to be rich so I could afford to get my teeth fixed and buy new clothes so other kids wouldn’t make fun of me. And that did drive me at first. But the real reasons I wanted to become wealthy were much deeper.
I did it so my mom would never have to worry about money again. So no one would ever be able to hold me back. So I could make a difference for others.
Why am I telling you all this?
Because you might be the kid with the buckteeth, the kid who didn’t have lunch money, or the one that got bullied. You could be the grownup now, still dealing with insecurity – emotional, financial or both.
Here’s what you should know…
Those kids that ridiculed me, did it out of ignorance and because they were hurting too. Stuff we think is life and death at that age doesn’t actually amount to much. It’s never about if you’re wearing designer jeans or Kmart jeans; what matters is the heart of the person in them.
It’s easy to become bitter, lash out and accept being a victim. Don’t take the bait. No one can hold you back but yourself.
Let being broke, being ridiculed, or being bullied be the fuel that drives you. The first step to helping the poor, downtrodden or exploited is to not be one of them. Decide that you won’t allow anyone to make you a victim, that you will become a victor.
Stop playing small. It’s an insult to the force that created you. To embolden yourself, associate with bold people.
Dream big. If your dreams are not bold, daring, and a little frightening – why bother with them at all?
And when you face challenges – and you will – remember that you’ve got a former scared, bucktoothed broke kid who is in your corner – believing in you and cheering you on!
-RG
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am speechless..
One of the best posts I’ve read in a while. Beautiful story and inspiration always my friend. #LYF
Thank you for your transparency. Everything you reveal here makes sense, and it is inspiring. Your words will help many people to know, and, more importantly, to feel that they are not alone. I relate strongly to your message because I always felt like an outsider. Anger and fear pulled my triggers for many years. They led to many destructive choices. They also drove me to develop useful productive weapons like acerbic humor, a facility with written and spoken words, and my acting talent. Acting satisfies my desire to live through other characters in a heightened reality. I became good at playing tough guys in movies and on TV. The same tough guys who struck fear in my heart when I was a kid. In the fictional world of a film, I become the one who strikes fear in others. Like you, I understand and respect the power of money as a vehicle to freedom. Unlike you, I still relish the thought of fuck-you money and the gangster lifestyle. I may grow beyond it. For now, I enjoy the dance of duality between my dark and brighter narratives.
Be sure and watch Prosperity TV on Monday. I'm going to go deeper into the stages of money motivation. -RG
I will. Thanks.
Inspirational and thought-provoking - as always. And how about an idea of a logical sequel of this post - a photo of you long-haired and a story from your 20s? (just suggesting)
Funny you say that, because I was thinking of that possibility this afternoon!
It might be a sign 🙂
Wow, you've just posted the story and it has already 4 comments. That's what touching people's hearts means. Keep rockin', dude!
I love it Randy. Thank you.
Thank you for such an inspirational post RG! Beautifully written. I will share with my children. Love JD ❤️
Wonderfully said RG!
Wow, Randy with hair!
Did you and Mr Spock had been to the same barber shop? Hehe
Thank for sharing this picture with us
Awesome story, I found my self in there.
Randy, you're right most of the times.
Living poor and an insult for our Creator.
Randy,
Thank you for this post. It resonated with me deeply and I appreciate that you *are* doing the stuff to help others and making a difference. You have been instrumental for me and my journey. I have even recently had the opportunity to share your message and your info with people I'm working with.
Many blessings,
John
Hallo I had an experience yesterday I want to share with you. In the morning from 6 to 10 a clock I work on a old people's home there is a calender with daily quotations yesterday from Shakespeare"honesty are punished daily" I instinctively taken my pen in red to write "bullshit". I have not written my name but many came to me and say but it's true. "you were this." but it's true. And I said. NO that's just an excuse for the many liars and all these are very poor people because they haven't learn anything. And that's all I say... I turned around and left my colleagues to themselves. But many older people were fascinated and said ohh.... I never thought about that but I will certainly do that more often today... Wau... These are people's over 90 years old and some are ready to learn.. How much more should we be ready to learn and fall out of the norm?
am speechless..
One of the best posts I’ve read in a while. Beautiful story and inspiration always my friend. #LYF
Thank you for your transparency. Everything you reveal here makes sense, and it is inspiring. Your words will help many people to know, and, more importantly, to feel that they are not alone. I relate strongly to your message because I always felt like an outsider. Anger and fear pulled my triggers for many years. They led to many destructive choices. They also drove me to develop useful productive weapons like acerbic humor, a facility with written and spoken words, and my acting talent. Acting satisfies my desire to live through other characters in a heightened reality. I became good at playing tough guys in movies and on TV. The same tough guys who struck fear in my heart when I was a kid. In the fictional world of a film, I become the one who strikes fear in others. Like you, I understand and respect the power of money as a vehicle to freedom. Unlike you, I still relish the thought of fuck-you money and the gangster lifestyle. I may grow beyond it. For now, I enjoy the dance of duality between my dark and brighter narratives.
Be sure and watch Prosperity TV on Monday. I'm going to go deeper into the stages of money motivation. -RG
I will. Thanks.
Inspirational and thought-provoking - as always. And how about an idea of a logical sequel of this post - a photo of you long-haired and a story from your 20s? (just suggesting)
Funny you say that, because I was thinking of that possibility this afternoon!
It might be a sign 🙂
Wow, you've just posted the story and it has already 4 comments. That's what touching people's hearts means. Keep rockin', dude!
I love it Randy. Thank you.
Thank you for such an inspirational post RG! Beautifully written. I will share with my children. Love JD ❤️
Wonderfully said RG!
Wow, Randy with hair!
Did you and Mr Spock had been to the same barber shop? Hehe
Thank for sharing this picture with us
Awesome story, I found my self in there.
Randy, you're right most of the times.
Living poor and an insult for our Creator.
Randy,
Thank you for this post. It resonated with me deeply and I appreciate that you *are* doing the stuff to help others and making a difference. You have been instrumental for me and my journey. I have even recently had the opportunity to share your message and your info with people I'm working with.
Many blessings,
John
Hallo I had an experience yesterday I want to share with you. In the morning from 6 to 10 a clock I work on a old people's home there is a calender with daily quotations yesterday from Shakespeare"honesty are punished daily" I instinctively taken my pen in red to write "bullshit". I have not written my name but many came to me and say but it's true. "you were this." but it's true. And I said. NO that's just an excuse for the many liars and all these are very poor people because they haven't learn anything. And that's all I say... I turned around and left my colleagues to themselves. But many older people were fascinated and said ohh.... I never thought about that but I will certainly do that more often today... Wau... These are people's over 90 years old and some are ready to learn.. How much more should we be ready to learn and fall out of the norm?