When Success Reveals Who We Really Are

There's a popular saying: “A person without money often displays another person’s behavior.” This highlights how, when someone lacks money or resources, it’s hard to truly understand who they are at heart. People tend to act in ways that help them achieve their goals, especially when they need support from others. I’ve seen individuals who, when they have little to nothing, act kind and agreeable, as though they're genuinely nice people. But once they get a bit of financial success, their true colours start to show.

Change is natural; we all know that nothing stays the same forever. It’s unrealistic to expect someone to remain exactly as they are all their lives, especially in terms of financial and personal growth. But there’s a difference between changing due to growth and letting success go to your head.

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I have a story about a distant relative that sheds light on this idea. He was someone who knew how to put on a good act whenever he needed help. He would always call, stay in touch, and act humble whenever he was struggling financially. I remember our family rallying around him, providing support to help him achieve his goals. But as soon as he gained some success, he completely disappeared from our lives. The man who used to call twice a day suddenly couldn’t even manage a call once every three months. When we did reach out, he would either ignore the calls or pick up with a rushed attitude, claiming he was too busy.

Then, something happened: he lost everything. I don’t know the full details, but I heard he made some poor decisions, gambling away a lot of his money and even losing a few properties. He was suddenly back to square one, struggling as he had been before. Now, I’m not saying he lost his fortune just because he ignored those who helped him – that would be oversimplifying it. But the truth is, he never listened to good advice. He always believed he knew better than everyone else, and that mindset hurt him in the long run.

Now, he’s reaching out to the same people he had cut off when things were going well. He’s calling family members, asking for support, and trying to regain the sympathy he once had. It’s sad to see him go through this, and I genuinely hope he finds a way to rebuild his life. Recently, I heard from him, and he mentioned that things were beginning to look up. I was happy for him and offered a gentle word of caution, encouraging him to take it slow and make wise decisions.

However, he later called me again, excited about a new investment opportunity that seemed risky to me. It made me worry that he might fall into the same patterns as before. Life is indeed about taking risks, but not all risks are worth taking. Some can set you back much more than you realize.

The lesson here is that money shouldn’t define a person’s character. True character shows in how we handle both success and failure. Sometimes, hardship reveals how adaptable and genuine we are, while success can reveal hidden arrogance or impulsiveness. It’s crucial to stay grounded, listen to wise counsel, and remember those who were there for you during tough times. Life can change at any moment, and the people you’ve supported – or ignored – along the way can make all the difference.