Finding Help in times of need -Part 10

The day I chose to flourish.

Have you been struggling in life and do not know how to make end meets? Are you frustrated and never seem to have enough to meet your needs? Have you been in a continuous loop of spending and it seems you always need more? You are not alone.

Many years ago, I was a college student. My mother gave me some money, which was all that she could afford. I had to use it to meet all my needs till I could come back home. I collected the money with gratitude and departed for school. I was thinking of all the things I needed for school and how I could get them. There were many things, but the funds limited.

I continued my journey, and thought of getting one of the things on my list, a toothpaste. I went to a store on my way to purchase the item. I asked for a particular brand called Close-up, by Unilever. You may wonder why. It was because I was used to that brand. My parents bought it, it was popular, and by default it was always the choice.

There was a problem, as I wanted to buy the toothpaste that I have always used. Do you know what the problem was? I realised that if I bought the toothpaste, I would not have enough money left as the cost was equal to a quarter of all I had on me. It was a well-known product, and I have used it for many years. I could attest to its quality. There was a potential problem I saw at that time considering my situation. If I bought it, I may not only have to clean my teeth with it, but probably have to eat it, drink it, and use it to meet my other needs. The decision to go for it could lead me to chaos.

I was standing in front of this product, after some considerations, it occurred to me that there is nothing on earth forcing me to buy this product except for the previous knowledge I had through my family. I thought further, ‘What will happen to me, if I do not purchase this product?’ I thought of many things, one of which was that I would be deviating from what I had known, I will be departing from tradition. On the other hand, I would meet my needs, and live without being frustrated, stranded or in debt.

I then consciously moved my eyes from the product to others in the same aisle, same shelf, some on the right, left, top and below. I looked at the brand as well as the price. One caught my attention, among many others. I was considering the smallest size of Close-up, but I could not afford it. I saw a bigger size of another brand, yet cheaper than the smallest size of Close-up. It means it could meet my need for longer. The product was called Flourish by PZ Cussons.

I was still trying to manage the change in my thoughts and process the implications to justify the shift. I read through the details and discovered that it was a viable replacement, and affordable for me based on the budget I had at that time. It will do the job.

I then took the product in my hand, as I concluded. I was happy to go ahead. I said to myself as I stood in the aisle; ‘Why Should I Close-up, when it is in my power to flourish.’ Why should I buy one thing that will cause me to be unable to function in other areas, while I have the power to choose something else that I could afford, which could still do the same job?

There may be so many people in the same situation today. I am sharing this not to advertise or promote any company or product. It is not to justify any product, but to share my experience to help some people in the same circumstance. Many people hold onto traditions, which may not be a bad thing in itself. The problem arises when they can no longer afford it, and probably they do not realise. They never discern that it is the reason they do not have enough to meet other needs.

You probably had always bought luxurious or expensive products when you had a high paying role. You never realised the need to change, when your income changed to a low paying one or fluctuating income. You may be choosing to close-up when you have the power to flourish, even in such a situation. You may be enjoying so many products and services when you are staying with your parents. You may need to change when you leave to be on your own. You may not be able to afford the same things. Operate at your level, so you do not get into difficulties. We all experience change, and change is for a season. It is not permanent. You must be willing to change to help you flourish in your temporary situation, otherwise it may get worse.

Are you experiencing a change of circumstances? There could be a clue around you. There may be something you can change such that you can still flourish in the context of your new situation.

If you had always enjoyed lunch in an expensive restaurant, you probably want to consider other sources for balanced and healthy diets or give cooking a try. It will go a long way to save you money. If you keep spending so much on food, and do not have as much coming in as before, you will have more needs unmet. A conscious choice is required to make things better.

You may be used to buying only expensive designer clothes, but you will soon run into trouble if you keep up that tradition when you experience a change in your circumstance. It is either you let go of it, or have your other needs unmet. It is in your power to make that decision.

Sometimes, you may discover that people do not pay for what they need. They pay to maintain social status. It is about pleasing other people that may not care. If you have a car that you can no longer afford to keep; would it not be better to let it go, get another one (if you cannot do without it) that you could afford, which could do the same job? Is it better to keep the luxurious car while your whole family cannot have a decent meal? You have the power to choose.

Some people have expensive entertainment subscriptions, which they are happy to keep or extend, and they later beg for food. Many renew contracts and take on upgrades or various devices and later complain that they do not have money. The reason for their need could be that they never realised that there are things they could change.

There are so many people struggling, yet do not realise that they could flourish if they are willing to change. They think of brand and not function or purpose. They look for what others are buying and not what will meet their own need.

Have you chosen a particular brand in the past to satisfy your preference or taste? Was your choice based on the expectation of others? Now that things have changed, probably temporarily, think of function and get functional replacement that you can easily afford. You will do well and have peace of mind.

Look around you, considering your spending pattern, analyse your bank statements and understand where your money is going. Some may even be paying for services they no longer need, without knowing, yet going around begging for food. You may be able to find an alternative that could help improve your situation. If you are happy to hold on to tradition even if it no longer benefits you, you should welcome the consequences and the impact on other areas of your life.

To be continued next week, don’t miss it.

Thank you for investing time to read this post. I hope you have found it valuable. I will be glad to hear from you. Please leave a comment below and share.

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