Hey ,
I want to talk about something that is quite deep for me.
This is not about motivation.
It’s about values.
We must begin to look beyond money.
A person’s value to you cannot be tied only to how much money they have.
Sadly, this mindset has eaten deeply into our society, especially here in Nigeria.
It has gone beyond institutions and policies.
It has entered families.
It has entered friendships.
It has entered everyday human interaction.
If you don’t have money, people don’t listen to you.
Your opinion doesn’t matter.
Your voice is ignored.
And yes, while it is true that many systems favor the rich, I want to bring this closer to home.
As individuals, how do you treat people who don’t have as much as you?
And when I say “don’t have money,” I don’t necessarily mean poor.
I mean they simply don’t have up to you.
Do you still treat them well?
Do you still respect them?
Do you still see them as valuable human beings?
Or are the only people who get your time, your respect, and your attention the ones who have money?
Think about it.
Even within families.
You may have a sibling who isn’t as financially successful as you.
A younger brother or sister still finding their feet.
Do you still respect them?
Do you still listen to them?
Do you still see them as worthy?
Most of us didn’t come from wealth.
Yet we value our parents deeply.
Not because of money, but because of who they are.
So why do we suddenly reduce value to finances when it comes to others?
This is dangerous.
A society that only values the rich sends a clear message to young people:
“Until you have money, you don’t matter.”
And when people believe that, many will do anything to become rich.
Including illegal things.
Even the lifestyles we glorify don’t help.
Celebrities.
Influencers.
The constant display of wealth without context.
Young people are watching.
Your younger siblings are watching.
The people around you are watching.
They notice who you respect.
They notice who you ignore.
They notice how you treat the driver, the gate man, the cleaner, the vendor, the bike rider, the Uber driver.
Do you respect them beyond their finances?
This mindset has also damaged relationships.
Especially how men see themselves.
Today, a man without money often feels like he is not a man.
As if leadership and value are only financial.
I am not saying men should not provide.
Providing is important.
But a man’s worth as a human being cannot be reduced to money alone.
And the same applies to everyone.
Not all your friends will have as much as you.
That doesn’t make them less of a friend.
Not all your siblings will be as successful financially.
That doesn’t make them less of a sibling.
Not all human beings will be as wealthy as you.
That does not make them less human.
Money is important.
Please make money.
Please grow.
Money is a defense.
But if the only people you respect are people who can help you financially, something is wrong.
If the only people you are kind to are people with money, something is wrong.
If the only voices you value are wealthy voices, something is wrong.
That is a character issue.
We must see life beyond this.
Value people.
Treat people well.
Listen to people.
Respect people.
Not because of what they have, but because of who they are.
Because the society we are building today is shaping the actions of the next generation.
And we must be careful what we normalize.
Think about this.
Your Fave,
Darasimi.
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