What is Money

It’s the root of all evil

It pays the bills,

It may heal your ills

And bring you thrills.

According to Wikipedia, money is anything that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts. For everyone, we interpret and treat money differently. Whether it is the abundance of wealth or the lack thereof there is a certain level of importance which we all seem to place on the precious commodity. From the Forbes list to the United Nations Poorest Countries list we seem to rank everything from those who do not have it to those who have it and may waste it. We live in a world where it seems to have a voice you should have cash to care.

If you grew up in an environment where everything is lavish, fabulous and expensive, you will view money differently from those who did not. It is highly probable that when you enter a certain level of wealth your expenses tend to be higher than others. It is true because you have to keep up with the lifestyle you live. One at this rank does not imagine the day when they will have nothing. Therefore, they will invest in portfolios, real estate and make other investments to maintain their wealth. The responsibilities that come with the lifestyle are also important. Case in point – Casey Johnson. Who knew someone could be kicked to the curb from a family who seemed to have everything? It seems more and more families with a vast amount of wealth are throwing out those family members who could appear to put the family’s wealth in jeopardy. Those who are rich sometimes are forced to continue that legacy to maintain their stature. On the contrary, persons who are rich can mismanage their wealth and become poor. Fantasia, the American Idol winner recently on Oprah opened up about her fall from grace. After buying her home and settling in, she had problems keep it. Her home fell into foreclosure and at one point she was unable to buy a pizza, her card failed. Money can be easy come and easy go. It takes proper financial management and financial sense to keep it.

For those who grew up in a poor background, they understand the importance of money. For many, money is the way out of poverty and they will place all their focus on avenues that could get them out of that state. Whether it is a talent, education or an illegal activity, poor people in the right environment can charter a new course out of poverty. We have seen numerous stories of people who did not have it but with the right attitude and approach they were able to live a better life. Oprah, Jay Z, and Hilary Swank just to name a few have gone from the lowest echelon to some of the richest people in our world.

However, people who are poor see money differently. People who are poor or who are in destitute positions do not see the importance of saving for the future and having investment accounts. Give someone who is poor a bank card with funds that could keep them for a month and see how fast that money goes. They tend to see money as short term, so they spend it to make them content in the moment. While there are others that if you give them the same amount they wouldn’t spend most of it because they understand the position they are in and have an idea of where they would like to be.

Money today is perceived based on cultural attitudes as well. In our world today, young people are materialistic. We tend to focus on what is in, the latest Bling and fashions. The entertainment industry is pushing this attitude of ‘you can have it all’ and at all costs.

Money and the abundance of it can last a lifetime if we understand the basic concepts. As human beings we need to live within our means and recognize that if we spend more than we earn we will be poor. No one wants to be poor; we want to be independent, strong and able to survive. With rising standards of living and costs going up, the worst thing that could happen to us is to lack needed funds. Money can be our way out of poverty but it can also lead to our own detriment.

It is significant that we inculcate cultures where we are not so highly materialistic but we begin to inspire people that can handle wealth without ruining their lives in the pursuit of it. Sure money is good and wonderful to have but the love of it could ruin our lives.

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Single Ladies Generation

Beyonce

Pull me into your arms
Say I’m the one you WANT
if you don’t, you’ll be alone
and like a ghost I’ll be gone

Lyrics from Beyonce’s Single Ladies

For some time now I have not taken Beyonce’s Single Ladies song seriously. I have listened to the song many times but thought it was a fun, great song to dance to (not me lol), never thinking about the hard issues embedded in it until I had a heart to heart conversation with a friend.

For many who have tried dating and searching for love, they’ll admit how sad it gets when the man you expect to pop the question never does, but gets so scared.

I do not support people who spend years dating and flirting with a steady boyfriend/girlfriend and never asks the question to be married or even become exclusive partners. It is ridiculous and makes the guy (most times we are expected to have that discussion) look silly and his actions questionable. Is he there for the long haul? Is he nervous about commitments? Whatever the answer, guys who flirt around for years, afraid to enter marriage, will most often lose the girl.

Personally, I think men who are wary to enter commitments show characteristics that women should refrain from entertaining in their lives. If both parties give selflessly to the relationship and the man doesn’t ask the question, should the female let him go? Should women be expected to start popping the marriage/commitment question then? Certainly women will not consider the suggestion that they should start going on one knee. I would say the  majority of us (both male and female) would agree that the decision should be left to the man to make.

Now, more than ever, women are not waiting on men to propose. In the twinkling of an eye, another gentleman or lady is ready to pick up where you left off. This brings me to the line Beyonce shouts in her song, “Where my ring at?”

Many women are asking, “where is my ring?”. Come on: a good partner doesn’t come along twice. When you have found the one that completes you, challenges you and makes love the best, “put a ring on it.”

If you don’t, you’ll be alone, and like a ghost they’ll be gone. – Beyonce’s Single Ladies

Second Lease on Life – Entertainment Edition

Video Music Awards

On a night where artistes were celebrated and the best in category awarded there were some regrettable actions. The start of the event saw the organizers paying a well deserved tribute to the greatest icon in music, Michael Jackson. The bar was set very high as the beginning where the tribute was performed with great artistry and was excellent keeping the audience entertained. Who knew what would come next? The first category to be mentioned saw lots of drama. Taylor Swift won the award for Best Female Video beating Beyonce who was expected to take the category. In the middle of her speech Kanye West who was seen drinking earlier interrupted exclaiming on the microphone that Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time.

Although he was booed at the music awards, he also suffered bad publicity for his harsh statements. It was reported that he left the award show early after refusing to apologize at the event. I do not think Kanye was apologetic in his initial statements. However, in his Jay Leno interview it placed everything in perspective and you got to see how humble one could get. I was not a fan of Kanye before this incident and still am not one. He is known for his over the top ego but now I know he has a different lease on life. I do not see him repeating this selfish act. Let’s be positive and hope he won’t.

Chris Brown

After beating Barbados’ rising Caribbean queen Rihanna to a pulp, justice have now been served to the forgetful Chris Brown. Recently Chris Brown was on a Public Relations drive to improve his image in the media. On Larry King Live Chris Brown suffered from selective memory stating he did not remember laying hands on Rihanna. The public saw the abused images of pop star Rihanna. However Chris Brown who did the beating clearly has forgotten the diatribe. He has been sentenced and was recently photographed cleaning grounds. Chris Brown who I would say have been welcomed in the music industry is still recording music, doing collaborations and being published in the media.

I am upset with the media for celebrating the acts Brown did. Certainly, the media is biased but the way they treated Brown declared that they sanctioned his actions of beating a female. I am upset that they haven’t kicked him to the curb. Today, Chris Brown will be showered with more female fans screaming his name all waiting for him to lay hands on them. Chris Brown is second and he has a new lease on life.

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston who sang her way into the hearts of many internationally is now promoting her new album after many years away from the industry. Houston who married Bobby Brown was a music wreck in her marriage as they both became known for their addiction to cocaine. With the messy life Whitney lived she is now promoting her new hot album which is getting rave reviews. In a recent interview with the queen of talk show Oprah Winfrey Whitney Houston spoke about her challenges and struggles with her marriage and family. Although she is being chastised for not accepting her addiction in the interview; personally I believe she should be praised for taking the step out of a life of despair where she can now be a testimony for those who are living a life of addiction.

Should we talk about Britney Spears and NFL Michael Vick? Both had major challenges and now have found ways to channel their lives to have a new lease on life. Good luck to them.

Today, you might be thinking your mistakes will forever have you down and out. One cancer survivor recently said in an interview that surviving cancer places everything in perspective because you never know what tomorrow holds. That is the thought if not the primary message that this piece wants to emphasize. Tomorrow is not guaranteed for anyone and living life to the fullest must be our ultimate aim daily. Mistakes today are to be corrected for tomorrow. Although the examples used are from celebrities we have heroes in our families and close circles who have overcome challenges. Any addiction or mistakes you have had over any period can be corrected and give you the new lease on life.