By Pearson Mbendera
Of late the human race has gotten so obsessed with success more than ever before. Whether it’s one achieving success, reading about someone who achieved it or its just speculating an evil scheme put in place by someone who achieved it. The topic alone has seen TV series produced about it, movies made books and articles written and even churches preach the sermon of success, which they term the Gospel of Prosperity, its success all over.
But in a world dominated by the 1% can success be attained by everyone? How come a few keep on succeeding and the rest just don’t? Look at Africa, we have the most resources yet we are the poorest. We struggle to find answers on why we are still poor. I guess we are asking the wrong question. Instead of asking why we are poor, let’s ask this question instead, is Africa meant to succeed?
I’m yet to meet anyone who doesn’t want to succeed. I want success myself, who doesn’t? It seems like the desire to succeed is embedded in our DNA as human beings. Well maybe scientists can prove that for me, but that’s not really my point. But considering the fact that we are not all successful despite having the desire to succeed, this begs me to ask the question, can we all succeed?
We all define success differently as human beings, but it has always been in our nature. Of all the animals that live on earth, humans are the only ones who aspire for a better tomorrow and have power over our future. Over time we have built better houses for ourselves, fast and luxurious cars, we have better technology to make our lives better while we put all other animals in cages and tame them; make them our pets, all for our own fun. That’s just being human.
But in a world dominated by the 1%, with unequal wealth and opportunities distribution, aren’t we chasing something that’s just meant for the chosen few. But then again, if that’s the case, how will you tell if you are one of the few?
Statistics show that the wealthiest 23 million people own more than the poorest 4.3 billion. That shows the extent of how wealth is distributed in the world.
But how does it all happen. Why can’t we share wealth equally? If success is for everyone, why are there more poor people than rich ones?
Truth of the matter is the rich 1% marry each other have children and pass own their wealth to their children when they die so that it stays in the family, own companies and employ the remainder 99%. They are also involved with politics, crafting policies that safeguard their monetary interests, through favorable tax systems, while the rest of the people just strive to make ends meet. They form charitable organizations that donate to the poor, just enough to get by, which sometimes is just enough not to die.
They write books on how we can all succeed yet they advocate for a system that doesn’t permit for every successful person. If we all succeed who will open their doors, shine their shoes and cheer at them every time they succeed.
It’s a harsh reality, success is not meant for everyone. It’s designed that way. It’s the system at play. Sometimes no matter how hard you work, you just don’t make it big. While other, like Paris Hilton and other celebrities spends their days and nights, partying hard and enjoying life to the fullest, some other people work day and night just not to be broke, trying hard to make ends meet. But still they suffer miserably.
I hope to break free from the chains that bind my fellow 99%, I will work hard to do so, and I hope you will do so too. Maybe, just maybe, one of us might just be lucky enough to break free and brush shoulders with the rich and successful. If that doesn’t happen, don’t hold it personally. It just wasn’t meant for you. And that’s life; I guess they meant it when they said life ain’t fair. Now you know the rules, it’s time to break them like a pro.
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