Driving a Car With No Reverse

…Lessons I’ve learned as a struggling, single mother.

True Story: Nearly two decades ago, I found myself a single mother raising three young sons. I struggled to provide basic necessities for me and my boys.

One day through my tears and in my despair, I sat down and wrote 10 letters. I then rode through the affluent Atlanta-area of Buckhead in my car with a blown transmission that had no reverse…seriously. That could be a story of planning, patience and resourcefulness in and of itself.

I placed one of the letters in each mailbox of the most beautiful homes I could find. In the letters, I told them about myself and then asked the owners of the homes, “how did you get where you are today?” So many of us recognize that there is a better life to be had, but haven’t been given the roadmap to get there. We work hard, we pray, we are kind to others — but we simply don’t know how to move forward out of cycles of poverty that hold us back in so many ways. Which step is the next right step to take.

I wanted to build a better life for my sons. I just didn’t know how.

And, I didn’t ask for money. I asked these millionaires for their stories, their wisdom, and I listened intently as those who actually responded were kind enough to share portions of their journeys with me.

I recently spent some time talking to leadership at Aspiriant Wealth Management about courage, growth mindset and how it motivates me today. I ended up opening up and telling that story publicly for the very first time.

One thing that I learned through that process is how to live in gratitude, no matter what material possessions I had, or I didn’t.

The things we appreciate — appreciate in value.

I had spent a long time living in scarcity and without an abundance mindset. I grew to realize the power of other types of wealth — intellectual curiosity, creative wealth, spiritual and human capital and social connections.

I also learned that I didn’t need reverse, I wasn’t going backwards, anyway.

My Money Tales: https://aspiriant.com/podcast/cicley-gay/