Only rich get 'poverty mentality'
By John Mohan

Almost everything we read, watch or hear lately is about how bad the economy is -- layoffs, bankruptcies, sagging sales and multi-billion dollar government deficits. But is that the whole story?

Airports are still filled with long lines of Vegas-bound travellers. Realtors are still reporting brisk sales and charities like the United Way of Winnipeg, The Winnipeg Foundation and even Siloam Mission are posting better-than-expected financial pictures. Media must realize how much they influence the economy simply by the emphasis they put on a report or which lead story they do or don't run.

The economy is cyclical. Admittedly there are good times and bad times. Abundance and lean times. What goes up comes down and visa versa. But the money in our pockets or the sensational headlines doesn't necessarily determine how we feel or act toward the economy.

Some, even in the best of times believe they're poor although they live better than 98% of the global population. They never feel like they have enough and obsess over every cost. While using adjectives like "thrifty" to describe themselves, they really possess a "poverty mentality" and it's a greater issue than how much they spend or what's in their bank account.

The poverty mentality can manifest itself several ways. For example if someone always sees "the glass as half empty, never half full."

They are the chronic complainers, never seeing opportunity or hope for themselves or those around them. Possessed by a sense of entitlement, they are never thankful for even the greatest of blessings or efforts of others.

A few weeks ago my organization sent a newly formatted publication out to our donors. The printer gave us an exceptional price and some sponsors helped underwrite it so it ended up costing only 59 cents each -- about a third of the price we used to pay to produce a newsletter. Most loved the effort we put into creating a professional-looking communication tool to advocate on behalf of the most voiceless of our society -- those experiencing homelessness. Interestingly, we got some curious responses too. One person thought they had the right to tell the sponsors what they should and should not spend their own money on, while another returned the periodical with a few spelling mistakes circled.

They are preoccupied with money and possessions, not giving or sharing for fear they'll be left destitute. Or they obsessively strive and scheme for more because they're not satisfied with what they have. Sadly they never reach the place where they ever feel they have enough or content with what already have.

The first question a poverty mentalist will always ask is about the cost. Extreme bean counters never allow themselves to enjoy or do anything extravagant because they can't get past the cost. Recently my son Cameron was looking at some smart phones. He really liked the features of one but it cost a lot more than the other. I asked, "Do you think you'll look back in a year wishing you'd taken the lesser phone and saved the $200?"

Interestingly, our homeless community are largely grateful, optimistic people who extravagantly share whatever they have, and enjoy the blessings they're given. Maybe they're not as poor as others who live in better addresses?

--John Mohan is the CEO of Siloam Mission.

Originally printed in the Winnipeg Sun, Wednesday, February 4, 2009.
Reprinted with the permission of Sun Media Corporation.