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Across the world, we see many examples of rags to riches stories which are truly inspirational. These people have risen from humble beginnings to achieve greatness in their lives, not simply by earning a lot of money, but by being great human beings as well. This article talks of three such stories from which we can learn a lot.
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Money is not always the way to become rich. Other aspects like your attitude, your experiences, thoughts and conduct can also make you feel richer. It is important that you feel rich in all perspectives and not just by having more money. There are several inspirational rags to riches stories around the world from which we can learn a thing or two. Yes, some of these stories are based on luck. But by enlarge; these people have had that extra factor which has made them what they are today. What can we learn and emulate from such stories? Today, let’s look at three such inspirational rags to riches stories:
Rajinikanth: What better example of an inspirational story than the story of this God figure of South Indian cinema, which is quite well known. Born in a Maharashtrian family as Shivaji Rao Gaikwad in Bangalore, this icon saw poverty in his childhood. With three other siblings, Rajini did not get all his needs fulfilled as a child. Nevertheless, he was interested in his studies and also learnt about the Vedas and tradition in his early years. He was a carpenter, a coolie and a conductor before he joined films. And the rest is history! There are several people who try their hand at acting, but fail along the way. Rajinikanth however, went on to become a legend. He is worshipped in many parts of South India. What is it that made him what he is today?
Hard work and perseverance is definitely what helped him. More importantly, he is an amazing human being. He gives importance to his work and does not think much about the fame that follows it. With no ego, he cares about his co-stars and technicians. It was always believed that to be an actor, you need to be fair. But Rajinikanth’s style and persona helped him break these preconceived notions. His attitude to push himself, experiment with new roles and remain humble despite all the fame he enjoys is truly inspirational.
Oprah Winfrey: One of the wealthiest African Americans of the world today, Oprah Winfrey’s story of rising from nothing to becoming a billionaire is really motivating. Known for her popular talk show – The Oprah Winfrey show, Oprah is also known to be a producer, actress and a philanthropist. But was she born with a silver spoon? Absolutely not. Oprah was born to an unwed mother who was a teenager. She was then sent to her grandmother who was extremely poor. Oprah then kept moving homes between her mother and father. She was molested and abused in her childhood by her own family members. When she was 13, she was raped and gave birth to a child who died in a few days. Her schooling was dark and Oprah was rebellious. When she was 17, she won a beauty pageant. She was then hired by a local black radio station. She then pursued a career in media and saw enormous success. She also went on to become an actress. With such a tumultuous childhood, Oprah rose to become a star. What was it that led the harassed child become the Oprah as we know her today?
Her attitude to fight back and stand for what she is helped Oprah throughout her life. In her show, she counsels people who had a background like hers and inspires them to start afresh. Despite facing racism for being a black, Oprah was successful. This is because of her determination to reach her goal. Oprah attributes her tough childhood to her being a strong woman now. She uses her life as a role model to change the lives of millions of others. This shows that she is a ‘rich’ person, and that she has the ability to inspire. An active philanthropist, Oprah co-founded Oxygen and Oprah Angels Network. Oprah’s story really demonstrates that the right attitude, conduct and determination can take anyone places.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Our next story is on India’s ex-President – Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Dr. Kalam’s journey from a newspaper vendor to becoming India’s President is not because of magic. Dr. Kalam was born in a poor Muslim family in Rameswaram, South India. Born to a boat owner, Dr. Kalam had seven siblings and understood poverty, since he experienced it. What was it that transformed this poor boy from a small town in South India to India’s President?
Dr. Kalam’s father was uneducated, but he wanted his son to study. Dr. Kalam proved to be a hardworking and sincere student, starting his day at 4 in the morning. He distributed newspapers in the town to supplement his father’s income and studied in the nights with the help of kerosene lamps. He says that a clear aim in life, perseverance, hard work and knowledge were the key factors to achieve success. He became what he was, because of these pillars in his life. He also sought strength from philosophy and religion in his career. Dr. Kalam gave importance to education throughout his life, as he realised that this was what transformed his life.
These stories teach us that one cannot become rich simply by earning a lot of money. The other aspects in life which we often overlook is what can make us truly enriched, in every sense of the word.
Source Links: BePositive.Org, DeccanHerald, CelebrityNetworth, ChangeMinds, InspireMinds
Hard work and perseverance is definitely what helped him. More importantly, he is an amazing human being. He gives importance to his work and does not think much about the fame that follows it. With no ego, he cares about his co-stars and technicians. It was always believed that to be an actor, you need to be fair. But Rajinikanth’s style and persona helped him break these preconceived notions. His attitude to push himself, experiment with new roles and remain humble despite all the fame he enjoys is truly inspirational.
Oprah Winfrey: One of the wealthiest African Americans of the world today, Oprah Winfrey’s story of rising from nothing to becoming a billionaire is really motivating. Known for her popular talk show – The Oprah Winfrey show, Oprah is also known to be a producer, actress and a philanthropist. But was she born with a silver spoon? Absolutely not. Oprah was born to an unwed mother who was a teenager. She was then sent to her grandmother who was extremely poor. Oprah then kept moving homes between her mother and father. She was molested and abused in her childhood by her own family members. When she was 13, she was raped and gave birth to a child who died in a few days. Her schooling was dark and Oprah was rebellious. When she was 17, she won a beauty pageant. She was then hired by a local black radio station. She then pursued a career in media and saw enormous success. She also went on to become an actress. With such a tumultuous childhood, Oprah rose to become a star. What was it that led the harassed child become the Oprah as we know her today?
Her attitude to fight back and stand for what she is helped Oprah throughout her life. In her show, she counsels people who had a background like hers and inspires them to start afresh. Despite facing racism for being a black, Oprah was successful. This is because of her determination to reach her goal. Oprah attributes her tough childhood to her being a strong woman now. She uses her life as a role model to change the lives of millions of others. This shows that she is a ‘rich’ person, and that she has the ability to inspire. An active philanthropist, Oprah co-founded Oxygen and Oprah Angels Network. Oprah’s story really demonstrates that the right attitude, conduct and determination can take anyone places.
Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam: Our next story is on India’s ex-President – Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. Dr. Kalam’s journey from a newspaper vendor to becoming India’s President is not because of magic. Dr. Kalam was born in a poor Muslim family in Rameswaram, South India. Born to a boat owner, Dr. Kalam had seven siblings and understood poverty, since he experienced it. What was it that transformed this poor boy from a small town in South India to India’s President?
Dr. Kalam’s father was uneducated, but he wanted his son to study. Dr. Kalam proved to be a hardworking and sincere student, starting his day at 4 in the morning. He distributed newspapers in the town to supplement his father’s income and studied in the nights with the help of kerosene lamps. He says that a clear aim in life, perseverance, hard work and knowledge were the key factors to achieve success. He became what he was, because of these pillars in his life. He also sought strength from philosophy and religion in his career. Dr. Kalam gave importance to education throughout his life, as he realised that this was what transformed his life.
These stories teach us that one cannot become rich simply by earning a lot of money. The other aspects in life which we often overlook is what can make us truly enriched, in every sense of the word.
Source Links: BePositive.Org, DeccanHerald, CelebrityNetworth, ChangeMinds, InspireMinds
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