Why don't you give me your money? Because I am a victim and you are rich!!

[DarkKnight]

So, got off the phone with the last person who I'd thought would be happy that I am doing well in life. This was an old "friend" from school -- this dude did all the partying he could, always got Fs, didn't give a F*ck, etc. All this while I was busting my a$$ studying, writing papers, basically evening the odds/ increasing probability that I'd make it into the light.

This dude used to hang out with me for a while and knew everything I was doing or wanted to do. Not someone who didn't know or understand, just someone who said "naaaahhhh I'd rather get drunk and stoned". He had way more money, way more connections and we were in the same classes.

Anyway, I see him after a long time and we exchange details of our vastly different lives -- accumulated results of 14 years of making choices differently.

I make many times over what he makes, the job he finally managed to get in pays a fraction. I am on the path of 2Xing my income at the very least in the slowlane job, he is hoping for a steady 3%. He lives in an 'apartment' in a remote village in the middle of nowhere in the 3rd world. I live in a 5 bedroom/4 bathroom house here in a beautiful coastal city in the West. I have a dog, which, if this friend was to buy, well he just cannot, ever. A pup of this breed alone would cost him 10 years of penny pinching savings, if he could cut down on emergencies, which he cannot.

So, obviously, he asks me to wire him $2,000. Just because, you know, we are 'pals'. This guy didn't show up or take my calls for almost a decade when I was slogging in the trenches alone.

Now, he hates me with a vengeance.

I am an immigrant to the west and the natives hate me too because I am one of those scum because of whom they cannot buy a house. Like my barber mumbling while cutting hair who was born here and would just like to fish all day. He's a victim too. "It's because of these people coming from outside that cause prices to rise". Before he realized he is cutting the hair of an outsider customer too and shut himself up. He doesn't like books or studying. He'd just like to fish all day. And not be bothered. And it's because of someone else that he can't just do that. It's too unfair. He was born here and went to school here. I was born in a F*ckhole. Just different choices.

My 'pal' would like to travel to far off countries and get to live in the West, etc. Now he realizes he cannot and I can.

Hate. It's unfair.

14 years ago,
Their choices were: Comfort, Ease, Victim of life
My choices were: Taking pain, Difficulty, Taking ownership of life

I also graduated from a top school, without student debt and close to a perfect GPA. I work a remote job and live in a city where the sea is 5 mins away, the trails are 5 mins away and the malls are 5 mins away. I live in a big house. I have a pup who will weigh close to 250+ pounds as a fully grown. I am fitter and look younger than you'd imagine for my age and race too.

I cried when trying to write my first program because I was already broken from stress from other aspects in my life. But I did not close that book. I did not quit. I chose to pick that book, to focus and not to quit. I chose to apply to that school, chose to move to this country, city and chose to buy the house while my eye was on MJ's inflation thread and the amount of money being printed.
I chose to do research and find my pup. I choose to not eat shit, to go to the gym. The remote job was my idea. I will make my future decisions very carefully too. Because choices add up in the end. And that's all the difference between winning and losing.

Not something you'd be able to explain to everyone though. It's too unfair!!

EDIT: Just to make it clear,
1.) I don't hate ANYONE.
2.) I am not here trying to show off my 'wealth'. I live at best a middle class lifestyle that is no big deal. There are WAY more richer people here alone. WAY MORE. I am not even at 1% wealth of these people.

It is the mindset that pisses me off. People hating on other people because? Why?
I worked my a$$ off. I am telling you in crystal clear terms how you can too. I am giving away secrets that cost me pain to learn. For free.

And the response is not gratitude for giving away good advice that could be used to improve their own lives.
I would kill to get advice from someone successful , someone who has done it and is willing to help.

My hope is that this will change someone's mindset. And seek solutions hopefully for my own situation too.

I do not look down on ANYONE. I hope every soul lives their best lives.

Just remember the difference between MJs and let's call it, a categorical 'people' response:

Type A conversation:
MJ -- Hey, what did you to get that Lamborghini man?
Man -- Entrepreneur.
MJ -- ~works his a$$ off and becomes an entrepreneur to EARN that Lamborghini~

Type B conversation:
Guy with the ice cream cone -- ~sees Lamborghini~ ~makes deductions~ ~HATES~
Man -- Runs away
Guy with the ice cream cone still has an ice cream cone.

 

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[starttoday123]

Thanks for sharing! And congratulations!! Yes I need to stay disciplined. I have a quote on my mirror "prioritize yourself in 10 years, forget the rest ~~~"

 

[ZF Lee]

Thanks for sharing, DarkKnight.

Good to hear you've come a long way!

I think its pretty unfair for natives to pass the blame of subpar housing policies onto immigrants-- immigrants themselves can be great sources of brain power to boost innovation. That's what went right for immigrant-friendly places like the USA, provided they follow the rules and respect the local culture.

And while this world is far from being fair, there is always something we can do with the resources that we have now.

It's pretty eye-opening to see what you built up with the little you had-- compared to him lol.

Since that chap is already so far off-- you can just decline him politely.
Nothing to be bitter about. You can choose.

And then move on. Give that $2000 to some better causes like your Fastlane venture.

 

[DarkKnight]

Thanks for sharing, DarkKnight.

Good to hear you've come a long way!

I think its pretty unfair for natives to pass the blame of subpar housing policies onto immigrants-- immigrants themselves can be great sources of brain power to boost innovation. That's what went right for immigrant-friendly places like the USA, provided they follow the rules and respect the local culture.

And while this world is far from being fair, there is always something we can do with the resources that we have now.

It's pretty eye-opening to see what you built up with the little you had-- compared to him lol.

Since that chap is already so far off-- you can just decline him politely.
Nothing to be bitter about. You can choose.

And then move on. Give that $2000 to some better causes like your Fastlane venture.

Thanks for the warm words, my pleasure to share.

No, politely declining doesn't work. The money requests are behind "My gf is sick". Now if you decline, that means you don't care if their gf dies. From an old friend, you are instantly transformed into a rich miserly ungrateful evil F*ck.
I just want friends to remain friends.

I will tell them I am broke next time.

 

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[DarkKnight]

Thanks for sharing! And congratulations!! Yes I need to stay disciplined. I have a quote on my mirror "prioritize yourself in 10 years, forget the rest ~~~"

I love that quote. Yes, focus on yourself!

 

[StrikingViper69]

Congratulations on your success, that's awesome!

Thanks for the warm words, my pleasure to share.

No, politely declining doesn't work. The money requests are behind "My gf is sick". Now if you decline, that means you don't care if their gf dies. From an old friend, you are instantly transformed into a rich miserly ungrateful evil F*ck.
I just want friends to remain friends.

I will tell them I am broke next time.

This guy isn't your friend, he's emotionally blackmailing you.

 

[Zyzzz]

So, got off the phone with the last person who I'd thought would be happy that I am doing well in life. This was an old "friend" from school -- this dude did all the partying he could, always got Fs, didn't give a F*ck, etc. All this while I was busting my a$$ studying, writing papers, basically evening the odds/ increasing probability that I'd make it into the light.

This dude used to hang out with me for a while and knew everything I was doing or wanted to do. Not someone who didn't know or understand, just someone who said "naaaahhhh I'd rather get drunk and stoned". He had way more money, way more connections and we were in the same classes.

Anyway, I see him after a long time and we exchange details of our vastly different lives -- accumulated results of 14 years of making choices differently.

I make many times over what he makes, the job he finally managed to get in pays a fraction. I am on the path of 2Xing my income at the very least in the slowlane job, he is hoping for a steady 3%. He lives in an 'apartment' in a remote village in the middle of nowhere in the 3rd world. I live in a 5 bedroom/4 bathroom house here in a beautiful coastal city in the West. I have a dog, which, if this friend was to buy, well he just cannot, ever. A pup of this breed alone would cost him 10 years of penny pinching savings, if he could cut down on emergencies, which he cannot.

So, obviously, he asks me to wire him $2,000. Just because, you know, we are 'pals'. This guy didn't show up or take my calls for almost a decade when I was slogging in the trenches alone.

Now, he hates me with a vengeance.

I am an immigrant to the west and the natives hate me too because I am one of those scum because of whom they cannot buy a house. Like my barber mumbling while cutting hair who was born here and would just like to fish all day. He's a victim too. "It's because of these people coming from outside that cause prices to rise". Before he realized he is cutting the hair of an outsider customer too and shut himself up. He doesn't like books or studying. He'd just like to fish all day. And not be bothered. And it's because of someone else that he can't just do that. It's too unfair. He was born here and went to school here. I was born in a F*ckhole. Just different choices.

My 'pal' would like to travel to far off countries and get to live in the West, etc. Now he realizes he cannot and I can.

Hate. It's unfair.

14 years ago,
Their choices were: Comfort, Ease, Victim of life
My choices were: Taking pain, Difficulty, Taking ownership of life

I also graduated from a top school, without student debt and close to a perfect GPA. I work a remote job and live in a city where the sea is 5 mins away, the trails are 5 mins away and the malls are 5 mins away. I live in a big house. I have a pup. I am fitter and look younger than you'd imagine for my age and race too. I am considering leaving the west to work from a a cheaper location where dating is super easy, then coming back.

I cried when trying to write my first program because I was already broken from stress from other aspects in my life. But I did not close that book. I did not quit. I chose to pick that book, to focus and not to quit. I chose to apply to that school, chose to move to this country, city and chose to buy the house while my eye was on MJ's inflation thread and the amount of money being printed.
I chose to do research and find my pup. I choose to not eat shit, to go to the gym. The remote job was my idea. I will make my future decisions very carefully too. Because choices add up in the end. And that's all the difference between winning and losing.

Not something you'd be able to explain to everyone though. It's too unfair!!

F*** that entitlement mentality.

 

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[DarkKnight]

Congratulations on your success, that's awesome!



This guy isn't your friend, he's emotionally blackmailing you.

Thanks for keeping it real. This comment was the most helpful one of them all. Yes, he knows I just lost a family and that makes me vulnerable. I see how he milked it.

Never had to deal with this when I was broke. Learning. I am glad I am on Fastlane.

 

[Happyheart]

Thanks for keeping it real. This comment was the most helpful one of them all. Yes, he knows I just lost a family and that makes me vulnerable. I see how he milked it.

Never had to deal with this when I was broke. Learning. I am glad I am on Fastlane.

Also, I wouldn‘t be too sure that his girlfriend really is ill. He may just be a freeloader - from what you told he always was one - trying to push the right buttons. And if she was, isn‘t it his responsibility to put himself in a position where he is able to care for the significant people in his life without preying on others?

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Amazing what can happen when one is proactive with their decision-making and intent on steering life in a new direction. Congrats.

When your decisions are a matter of inertia, most of the world ends up like your friend... living in the same city, working the same job, watching the same television channels...

 

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[Tiago]

And right here is the perfect example of the tiny decisions you make each day and their cumulative effect, great work man!

 

[heavy_industry]

Cain and Abel - my favorite story.

There is nothing unfair over here. Both you and your friend are correct in your way of thinking and you both got exactly the results that you deserved.

• You chose the hard path and ended up having an easy life.
• He chose the easy path and ended up having a hard life.

Don't try to change anyone's mindset. It's their freedom to choose their own destiny.

I will tell them I am broke next time.

Don't lie.
End the relationship immediately. This person is not and never was your friend.


Congratulations on the life that you've built for yourself.

 

[DarkKnight]

Also, I wouldn‘t be too sure that his girlfriend really is ill. He may just be a freeloader - from what you told he always was one - trying to push the right buttons. And if she was, isn‘t it his responsibility to put himself in a position where he is able to care for the significant people in his life without preying on others?

She is not. I am pretty sure she doesn't exist. This guy is a specialist in people.

You are absolutely right. I tried to convey it too as it was not obvious. You have to look from his eyes though. He wants money. For free. Why would he look at it that way? His whole game is to inspire a different perspective, one where he's the victim and needs help.

Again, glad to be on Fastlane.

 

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[DarkKnight]

Cain and Abel - my favorite story.

There is nothing unfair over here. Both you and your friend are correct in your way of thinking and you both got exactly the results that you deserved.

• You chose the hard path and ended up having an easy life.
• He chose the easy path and ended up having a hard life.

Don't try to change anyone's mindset. It's their freedom to choose their own destiny.



Don't lie.
End the relationship immediately. This person is not and never was your friend.


Congratulations on the life that you've built for yourself.

Thank You. The contrast of words here on Fastlane vs 'people' warms my heart.

 

[Angler]

Thanks for the write up. This is playing out in my life as well. You grow, change, and metamorphosize as they sit around “content” in doing the same stuff that’s not working. The dreams you have, they have too but they’d much rather talk about their problems and not do anything to create a solution.

These “friends” are vampires, as they suck your valuable energy and time whenever you invite them in or give them the chance.

Don't lie.
End the relationship immediately. This person is not and never was your friend.

!!! Give them a clean cut and banish them from the world you’re creating.

 

[Ing]

You took the right choices.
Your „friend“ did his.
I have these old“ friends“, too. They often aren’t worth a talk, as they often are toxic.
Best wishes!

 

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[Itizn]

Is there a thread where you detail what you built?

 

[AceVentures]

 

[DarkKnight]

Is there a thread where you detail what you built?

Yes, in my introductions post. I wrote 6 research papers, was an active part of the research community, was the president of student society charged with getting people jobs, etc. among other things. Doesn't matter how I specifically contributed though.

What matters is that my perspective was different and that led to different choices. And the consequences of those choices show up years later. In other words, a live example of process vs the event. Thanks MJ for making it easy to put into words

 

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[Tsetand]

So, got off the phone with the last person who I'd thought would be happy that I am doing well in life. This was an old "friend" from school -- this dude did all the partying he could, always got Fs, didn't give a F*ck, etc. All this while I was busting my a$$ studying, writing papers, basically evening the odds/ increasing probability that I'd make it into the light.

This dude used to hang out with me for a while and knew everything I was doing or wanted to do. Not someone who didn't know or understand, just someone who said "naaaahhhh I'd rather get drunk and stoned". He had way more money, way more connections and we were in the same classes.

Anyway, I see him after a long time and we exchange details of our vastly different lives -- accumulated results of 14 years of making choices differently.

I make many times over what he makes, the job he finally managed to get in pays a fraction. I am on the path of 2Xing my income at the very least in the slowlane job, he is hoping for a steady 3%. He lives in an 'apartment' in a remote village in the middle of nowhere in the 3rd world. I live in a 5 bedroom/4 bathroom house here in a beautiful coastal city in the West. I have a dog, which, if this friend was to buy, well he just cannot, ever. A pup of this breed alone would cost him 10 years of penny pinching savings, if he could cut down on emergencies, which he cannot.

So, obviously, he asks me to wire him $2,000. Just because, you know, we are 'pals'. This guy didn't show up or take my calls for almost a decade when I was slogging in the trenches alone.

Now, he hates me with a vengeance.

I am an immigrant to the west and the natives hate me too because I am one of those scum because of whom they cannot buy a house. Like my barber mumbling while cutting hair who was born here and would just like to fish all day. He's a victim too. "It's because of these people coming from outside that cause prices to rise". Before he realized he is cutting the hair of an outsider customer too and shut himself up. He doesn't like books or studying. He'd just like to fish all day. And not be bothered. And it's because of someone else that he can't just do that. It's too unfair. He was born here and went to school here. I was born in a F*ckhole. Just different choices.

My 'pal' would like to travel to far off countries and get to live in the West, etc. Now he realizes he cannot and I can.

Hate. It's unfair.

14 years ago,
Their choices were: Comfort, Ease, Victim of life
My choices were: Taking pain, Difficulty, Taking ownership of life

I also graduated from a top school, without student debt and close to a perfect GPA. I work a remote job and live in a city where the sea is 5 mins away, the trails are 5 mins away and the malls are 5 mins away. I live in a big house. I have a pup. I am fitter and look younger than you'd imagine for my age and race too.

I cried when trying to write my first program because I was already broken from stress from other aspects in my life. But I did not close that book. I did not quit. I chose to pick that book, to focus and not to quit. I chose to apply to that school, chose to move to this country, city and chose to buy the house while my eye was on MJ's inflation thread and the amount of money being printed.
I chose to do research and find my pup. I choose to not eat shit, to go to the gym. The remote job was my idea. I will make my future decisions very carefully too. Because choices add up in the end. And that's all the difference between winning and losing.

Not something you'd be able to explain to everyone though. It's too unfair!!

EDIT: Just to make it clear,
1.) I don't hate ANYONE.
2.) I am not here trying to show off my 'wealth'. I live at best a middle class lifestyle that is no big deal. There are WAY more richer people here alone. WAY MORE. I am not even at 1% wealth of these people.

It is the mindset that pisses me off. People hating on other people because? Why?
I worked my a$$ off. I am telling you in crystal clear terms how you can too. I am giving away secrets that cost me pain to learn. For free.

And the response is not gratitude for giving away good advice that could be used to improve their own lives.
I would kill to get advice from someone successful , someone who has done it and is willing to help.

My hope is that this will change someone's mindset. And seek solutions hopefully for my own situation too.

I do not look down on ANYONE. I hope every soul lives their best lives.

Just remember the difference between MJs and let's call it, a categorical 'people' response:

Type A conversation:
MJ -- Hey, what did you to get that Lamborghini man?
Man -- Entrepreneur.
MJ -- ~works his a$$ off and becomes an entrepreneur to EARN that Lamborghini~

Type B conversation:
Guy with the ice cream cone -- ~sees Lamborghini~ ~makes deductions~ ~HATES~
Man -- Runs away
Guy with the ice cream cone still has an ice cream cone.

If possible can u share advice or story as a IMMIGRANT.

 

[Tsetand]

If possible can u share advice or story as a IMMIGRANT. I’m a sophomore in US and want to build my business. How should I start?

 

[DarkKnight]

You are asking the wrong person as I do not own a business.

 

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[iivalky]

So, got off the phone with the last person who I'd thought would be happy that I am doing well in life. This was an old "friend" from school -- this dude did all the partying he could, always got Fs, didn't give a F*ck, etc. All this while I was busting my a$$ studying, writing papers, basically evening the odds/ increasing probability that I'd make it into the light.

This dude used to hang out with me for a while and knew everything I was doing or wanted to do. Not someone who didn't know or understand, just someone who said "naaaahhhh I'd rather get drunk and stoned". He had way more money, way more connections and we were in the same classes.

Anyway, I see him after a long time and we exchange details of our vastly different lives -- accumulated results of 14 years of making choices differently.

I make many times over what he makes, the job he finally managed to get in pays a fraction. I am on the path of 2Xing my income at the very least in the slowlane job, he is hoping for a steady 3%. He lives in an 'apartment' in a remote village in the middle of nowhere in the 3rd world. I live in a 5 bedroom/4 bathroom house here in a beautiful coastal city in the West. I have a dog, which, if this friend was to buy, well he just cannot, ever. A pup of this breed alone would cost him 10 years of penny pinching savings, if he could cut down on emergencies, which he cannot.

So, obviously, he asks me to wire him $2,000. Just because, you know, we are 'pals'. This guy didn't show up or take my calls for almost a decade when I was slogging in the trenches alone.

Now, he hates me with a vengeance.

I am an immigrant to the west and the natives hate me too because I am one of those scum because of whom they cannot buy a house. Like my barber mumbling while cutting hair who was born here and would just like to fish all day. He's a victim too. "It's because of these people coming from outside that cause prices to rise". Before he realized he is cutting the hair of an outsider customer too and shut himself up. He doesn't like books or studying. He'd just like to fish all day. And not be bothered. And it's because of someone else that he can't just do that. It's too unfair. He was born here and went to school here. I was born in a F*ckhole. Just different choices.

My 'pal' would like to travel to far off countries and get to live in the West, etc. Now he realizes he cannot and I can.

Hate. It's unfair.

14 years ago,
Their choices were: Comfort, Ease, Victim of life
My choices were: Taking pain, Difficulty, Taking ownership of life

I also graduated from a top school, without student debt and close to a perfect GPA. I work a remote job and live in a city where the sea is 5 mins away, the trails are 5 mins away and the malls are 5 mins away. I live in a big house. I have a pup who will weigh close to 250+ pounds as a fully grown. I am fitter and look younger than you'd imagine for my age and race too.

I cried when trying to write my first program because I was already broken from stress from other aspects in my life. But I did not close that book. I did not quit. I chose to pick that book, to focus and not to quit. I chose to apply to that school, chose to move to this country, city and chose to buy the house while my eye was on MJ's inflation thread and the amount of money being printed.
I chose to do research and find my pup. I choose to not eat shit, to go to the gym. The remote job was my idea. I will make my future decisions very carefully too. Because choices add up in the end. And that's all the difference between winning and losing.

Not something you'd be able to explain to everyone though. It's too unfair!!

EDIT: Just to make it clear,
1.) I don't hate ANYONE.
2.) I am not here trying to show off my 'wealth'. I live at best a middle class lifestyle that is no big deal. There are WAY more richer people here alone. WAY MORE. I am not even at 1% wealth of these people.

It is the mindset that pisses me off. People hating on other people because? Why?
I worked my a$$ off. I am telling you in crystal clear terms how you can too. I am giving away secrets that cost me pain to learn. For free.

And the response is not gratitude for giving away good advice that could be used to improve their own lives.
I would kill to get advice from someone successful , someone who has done it and is willing to help.

My hope is that this will change someone's mindset. And seek solutions hopefully for my own situation too.

I do not look down on ANYONE. I hope every soul lives their best lives.

Just remember the difference between MJs and let's call it, a categorical 'people' response:

Type A conversation:
MJ -- Hey, what did you to get that Lamborghini man?
Man -- Entrepreneur.
MJ -- ~works his a$$ off and becomes an entrepreneur to EARN that Lamborghini~

Type B conversation:
Guy with the ice cream cone -- ~sees Lamborghini~ ~makes deductions~ ~HATES~
Man -- Runs away
Guy with the ice cream cone still has an ice cream cone.

Ahhh yes, it was those guys who think they deserve money just for being a rich person's old pal. This guy was trying to use your success to his benefit after 14 years of separation, it's ridiculous what some people would do for money. I once refused to fund somebody I hardly knew and as you said, he "Now hates me with a vengeance" as well. Attempting to leech off of one's success is just pathetic and the ultimate "Type B"

 

[Rabby]

Yep, definitely seen this with entitled people. Funny thing is, you could give them 10x the amount of money, and in a month they would be broke and asking you for more. They're slaves to their own indecisiveness and self-defeating narratives. Truly victims of their own choices.

Keep at it, and thanks for the story

 

[DarkKnight]

Yep, definitely seen this with entitled people. Funny thing is, you could give them 10x the amount of money, and in a month they would be broke and asking you for more. They're slaves to their own indecisiveness and self-defeating narratives. Truly victims of their own choices.

Keep at it, and thanks for the story

I would like to post some poetry I wrote titled 'averages':

Averages

The averages..
Drunk and asleep.
Not alive.
Just existing.

They have to eat more.
Spend more.
Watch more.
Stuff more.

They will always want more.

Beware of the mediocrities.
Blunted.
Dead.
Suppressed.
Ever greedy.
Insatiable.
Complaining.
Blaming.
Angry.
And average.

Beware of their friendship.
They do not see.
They cannot see.
Long dead.
Never born.

They exist.
Accepting.
Struggling.
To like what they're given.

Yet grateful..
That someone has it worse.
And complaining that they do not have more.
That they deserve more.
And being average.

Proud to be average.
Proud to be on a team.
Their team.
Their ball.
Their country.
Their match.
They celebrate these glories like their own.
Their team's victory brings them contentment.
And joy.
And is the highest point of their day.
Sometimes weeks, or years, and most times, lives.

They hang pictures of their tribes.
Take credit of a glorious past.
Or a soon to come glorious future.
That they have no part in.
They associate.
To greatness.
To good.
Anything they can find.
And then they die.

Hoping for that jackpot win.
Or their cousin's death.
Sometimes it takes over and they pick that knife.
To murder their own.
For stuff they couldn't get.

They will pick up the knife, but never the sword.
The elephants terrorize them.
They can't even march up a rank.

Averages.
Seeking averages.
In a world of averages.
Busy being average.
Dripping of averageness.
Of mediocrity.

Stay away.
It's infectious.
Like a disease.
They will drag you to average.
Cowards, terrorized. Afraid.
First they will pretend to see.
Pretend to join. Pretend to be the same as you.
Then they will reason. And expect you to be reasonable.
Compromise..
Understand.
Offer you the drip.
Until they suck you dry.

And then they will hate you.
Wish for your downfall.
Invest in your fall.
Cheer for your fall.
All the while pretending to love.
Waiting to time their sting right.

Be alone.
Be legendary.

Don't leave.
Stay home.
Stay great.
Stay unreasonable.
Stay mad.

 

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[DarkKnight]

Ahhh yes, it was those guys who think they deserve money just for being a rich person's old pal. This guy was trying to use your success to his benefit after 14 years of separation, it's ridiculous what some people would do for money. I once refused to fund somebody I hardly knew and as you said, he "Now hates me with a vengeance" as well. Attempting to leech off of one's success is just pathetic and the ultimate "Type B"

I don't like my blood pressure to be elevated but I love to see how easily morals change. So I start talk about olden times, they get happy about the fact that they are reeling the fish in -- for that is the only thing in common we have. That we met at some point. They try to paint it as a rosy picture hoping to trigger fond memories of the past.
Unfortunately for them, they were horrible pieces of shit and I have a good memory.

But, boy. Even after knowing all this its crazy to see how close I came to sending this guy money. I have in the past too unfortunately.

Good thing is after losing the money, I just decided to focus on creating more value instead of ruminating about it. I wonder why they don't think the same way. Why not invest this time learning something and making money honestly like I do?

Different choices.

 

[Ronnie Bryan]

Good Post , thank you, Dark Knight and truth they do not even, have to know you. I lost count of people on Linkedin and Facebook asking for money. I am excited for you .Your choices are like ripples in water and reaches out to the right people. I am grateful for this forum and the people on it like you Dark Knight. Good Job my friend!

 

[meetarkesh]

So, got off the phone with the last person who I'd thought would be happy that I am doing well in life. This was an old "friend" from school -- this dude did all the partying he could, always got Fs, didn't give a F*ck, etc. All this while I was busting my a$$ studying, writing papers, basically evening the odds/ increasing probability that I'd make it into the light.

This dude used to hang out with me for a while and knew everything I was doing or wanted to do. Not someone who didn't know or understand, just someone who said "naaaahhhh I'd rather get drunk and stoned". He had way more money, way more connections and we were in the same classes.

Anyway, I see him after a long time and we exchange details of our vastly different lives -- accumulated results of 14 years of making choices differently.

I make many times over what he makes, the job he finally managed to get in pays a fraction. I am on the path of 2Xing my income at the very least in the slowlane job, he is hoping for a steady 3%. He lives in an 'apartment' in a remote village in the middle of nowhere in the 3rd world. I live in a 5 bedroom/4 bathroom house here in a beautiful coastal city in the West. I have a dog, which, if this friend was to buy, well he just cannot, ever. A pup of this breed alone would cost him 10 years of penny pinching savings, if he could cut down on emergencies, which he cannot.

So, obviously, he asks me to wire him $2,000. Just because, you know, we are 'pals'. This guy didn't show up or take my calls for almost a decade when I was slogging in the trenches alone.

Now, he hates me with a vengeance.

I am an immigrant to the west and the natives hate me too because I am one of those scum because of whom they cannot buy a house. Like my barber mumbling while cutting hair who was born here and would just like to fish all day. He's a victim too. "It's because of these people coming from outside that cause prices to rise". Before he realized he is cutting the hair of an outsider customer too and shut himself up. He doesn't like books or studying. He'd just like to fish all day. And not be bothered. And it's because of someone else that he can't just do that. It's too unfair. He was born here and went to school here. I was born in a F*ckhole. Just different choices.

My 'pal' would like to travel to far off countries and get to live in the West, etc. Now he realizes he cannot and I can.

Hate. It's unfair.

14 years ago,
Their choices were: Comfort, Ease, Victim of life
My choices were: Taking pain, Difficulty, Taking ownership of life

I also graduated from a top school, without student debt and close to a perfect GPA. I work a remote job and live in a city where the sea is 5 mins away, the trails are 5 mins away and the malls are 5 mins away. I live in a big house. I have a pup who will weigh close to 250+ pounds as a fully grown. I am fitter and look younger than you'd imagine for my age and race too.

I cried when trying to write my first program because I was already broken from stress from other aspects in my life. But I did not close that book. I did not quit. I chose to pick that book, to focus and not to quit. I chose to apply to that school, chose to move to this country, city and chose to buy the house while my eye was on MJ's inflation thread and the amount of money being printed.
I chose to do research and find my pup. I choose to not eat shit, to go to the gym. The remote job was my idea. I will make my future decisions very carefully too. Because choices add up in the end. And that's all the difference between winning and losing.

Not something you'd be able to explain to everyone though. It's too unfair!!

EDIT: Just to make it clear,
1.) I don't hate ANYONE.
2.) I am not here trying to show off my 'wealth'. I live at best a middle class lifestyle that is no big deal. There are WAY more richer people here alone. WAY MORE. I am not even at 1% wealth of these people.

It is the mindset that pisses me off. People hating on other people because? Why?
I worked my a$$ off. I am telling you in crystal clear terms how you can too. I am giving away secrets that cost me pain to learn. For free.

And the response is not gratitude for giving away good advice that could be used to improve their own lives.
I would kill to get advice from someone successful , someone who has done it and is willing to help.

My hope is that this will change someone's mindset. And seek solutions hopefully for my own situation too.

I do not look down on ANYONE. I hope every soul lives their best lives.

Just remember the difference between MJs and let's call it, a categorical 'people' response:

Type A conversation:
MJ -- Hey, what did you to get that Lamborghini man?
Man -- Entrepreneur.
MJ -- ~works his a$$ off and becomes an entrepreneur to EARN that Lamborghini~

Type B conversation:
Guy with the ice cream cone -- ~sees Lamborghini~ ~makes deductions~ ~HATES~
Man -- Runs away
Guy with the ice cream cone still has an ice cream cone.

Thanks a lot for sharing this, My takeaway from this lesson is that choices matter a lot, at that moment that positive choice might seem insignificant but in the long run, it MATTERS.

 

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[MJ DeMarco]

My takeaway from this lesson is that choices matter a lot,

Most people fail to understand that they make 100 of choices daily. Unfortunately, much of these are made knee-jerk, or unconsciously done out of habit, routine, or cultural momentum.