Rich kid

Ever so often, people criticise you. Some do it out of concern. Some do it out of habit. Some do it to pull your leg. Some do it to present an opposing point of view. And some, out of sheer spite. Nobody likes criticism. Neither do I. But we all learn, as mature adults, to digest it. To handle it. ("To learn from it" sounds utterly preachy and totally patronising, so for now we will skip it). You rarely learn from criticism, unless it comes from someone close. But you try to not let it bother you.

Yet every once in a while, an accusation seems a tad unfair. Like when you are told, that you show off your (pretty much non-existent) wealth too much. You want to say "What crap!" but instead pretend to understand. And pretend to 'dig deep' and figure out what prompted such a remark. You are told that you show off very subtly... in mentioning the shopping you spend on, the love for designerwear, the expensive holidays, the numerous shoes. Uh huh. Umm okay. You must be politically correct. Hmmm, point taken, you say. So just to get it off your mind, you go and blog about it. Because on your blog, you couldnt care a damn about being politically correct. Heck, it is for you to vent out your opinions, regardless of what and who they concern.

A lot of people around me always discuss and compare wealth. No dont get me wrong. I do to. But I have always believed (or tried to believe) in 2 things - firstly, unless you are Bill Gates, someone will *always* earn more than you. I doubt the comparison helps, except in making you feel smaller and poorer. Secondly, the way to be richer is by earning more, and not just saving more. So I will not pinch pennies. And I will not make hefty investments and cut back on spending today. Because somehow, whenever I want to spend on something or someone important, money makes itself available. Forgive my naivete here, but sometimes I like to subscribe to the belief that if you want something badly, you'll get it.

I wasnt born with a silver spoon. It has been 8 years since I left home, and for 6 of those years, I've not been financially dependent on my parents. I've pinched pennies when I needed to. I've been too proud to ask my parents for money. I've had biscuits for dinner. I've carried 6-months' worth of detergent from India because it was cheaper. I had promised myself that one day the perseverance will pay off. No, I aint glorifying myself. There are many who do so. And many who do much more. In comparison, I had quite a decent lifestyle. But my point is, I promised myself that once I start earning, I will pamper myself and my family. So if you think I have never had to work hard to deserve a 3000 dollar holiday or a 100 dollar pair of shoes, think again. If you think I talk about it to show off, think again. If you think I always pamper myself silly, think again.

We've all fought our battles, some of us chose to shout about it, and some of us dont.