Broke? Nah, You’re Wealthier Than You Realize
Somewhere along the way, we got it twisted. Wealth isn’t just money. It’s not a number in a bank account, a car brand, or a zip code. Wealth is freedom. It’s health. It’s family, real friendships, peace of mind, and knowing you’ll eat today without stressing. But too many of us can’t see it because we’ve been conditioned to believe wealth is only about stacks of cash and luxury vacations.
Let me check myself while I check y’all—because I forget, too.
I was reminded of this years ago when I taught an after-school program on a not-so-great side of town. My students and I were outside, looking at the Chicago skyline—majestic, beautiful, a sight I saw all the time without a second thought. But then one of my students hit me with, “I’ve never been downtown.”
Downtown. Twenty minutes away by train. And this child, born and raised in Chicago, had never seen it up close. Never left their neighborhood. Never walked by the river, stood at the base of a skyscraper, or felt the rush of the city. That moment wrecked me.
Because for me, downtown was just there. I hopped on the train whenever I wanted. But for them? It was another world. One they didn’t feel invited to. One that, in their mind, might as well have been across the ocean.
And this is exactly why I need to sit my privileged, city-roaming self down sometimes and recognize the wealth I already have.
We’ve Been Sold a Lie
We consume so much media that tells us wealth is only about dollars. The six-figure salary. The mansion. The private jet. (Meanwhile, gas prices got folks debating if they even need to leave the house today.) But real wealth? It's needing for nothing.
It’s opening your fridge and seeing food, not just condiments and half a juice box.
It’s taking a deep breath without pain or struggle.
It’s knowing you have someone to call when life gets heavy.
It’s being able to take a damn road trip just because you feel like it—do you know how many people have never even left their city? Their neighborhood?
That kind of wealth doesn’t flash on Instagram, but it’s priceless.
The Real Bag? Gratitude.
Look, I’m not saying money doesn’t matter. It does—bills are real, rent is rude, and I, too, enjoy a good spa day. But when we measure our worth by our wallet alone, we rob ourselves of joy. We overlook the things that actually make life rich: good health, people who love us, lessons that made us stronger, and moments that remind us how big the world really is.
So today, I’m checking myself. I have food, shelter, health, people who care about me, and the freedom to move through this world in ways others can’t. That’s wealth.
And if you’re reading this? You’re probably richer than you think, too.
So Here’s Your Challenge
Take a minute. Look around. What do you have right now that someone else is praying for? What have you taken for granted because you see it every day? Recognize it. Appreciate it. Because the real flex? The real wealth?
It’s already in your hands.
