It is often said that some individuals are born with a silver spoon, while others are not. This simplistic division categorizes people into two groups: the haves and the have-nots. However, history demonstrates that such a classification fails to capture the true reality. Many who start as have-nots end their lives as respected members of the haves. A prime example is the late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
From Poverty to Presidency
Dr. Kalam was born into a family so impoverished that they could not afford his school fees. Yet, in his later years, he rose to become the President of India, the highest office in the country. In his youth, he was unknown; by the end of his life, he was an internationally renowned figure. This transformation invalidates the rigid haves-and-have-nots equation.
Potential Haves vs. Actual Haves
A more accurate categorization would be 'potential haves' and 'actual haves.' At birth, Dr. Kalam belonged to the potential haves category, but through his efforts, he later joined the actual haves. Every person is born with immense dormant potential, making everyone a potential have. By activating one's capacity and planning one's life, one can inevitably become an actual have.
The Role of Struggle and Incentive
Nearly all super achievers experienced early failures before emerging as high achievers. If you are born into a poor family, do not label yourself as poor. Instead, recognize that you belong to the potential haves group. Nature is generous to all, but it provides potential, not actuality. It is your responsibility to convert that potential into reality. Do not blame destiny; discover your own capacity and create your own destiny.
The term 'have-not' is merely a negative label for those born with a differently abled personality. Those born in poor conditions have a greater incentive to improve their lives, which aligns with the law of nature. This incentive drives progress. The natural formula is: the greater the incentive, the greater the development; the poorer the incentive, the poorer the development.
The Miracle of Hard Work
People categorized as have-nots are those who must struggle, and through struggle, they achieve success. Surveys show that individuals born in poor African or Asian countries who migrated to the United States now earn more than the average American. This is the miracle of hard labor. They were once poor but now live in greatly improved conditions. The reason is simple: incentive. Rich people often lack this incentive, making it the monopoly of the poor.
Conclusion: The Super Haves
Seen from this perspective, have-nots are more fortunate than haves. They have the incentive to do better, they must struggle, they experience intellectual awakening, and they lead active lives. They possess vision, a virtue often lacking in the haves. The law of nature ultimately determines all events, and it favors the so-called have-nots. If you view people in terms of the future, today's have-nots are tomorrow's haves, and today's haves are tomorrow's have-nots.
