Some people say a man is made out of mud
A poor man’s made out of muscle and blood
Muscle and blood, skin and bones…
A mind that’s weak and a back that’s strongYou load sixteen tons, and what do you get?
another day older and deeper in debt
St. Peter, don’t you call me, ’cause I can’t go
I owe my soul to the company store
Those are lyrics to an old Country & Western song done by Merle Travis. You can listen to the song here.
The song talks about the tough life of a coal miner way back then. It vividly depicts a feeling of being trapped, as such, “You load sixteen tons, and what do you get? Another day older and deeper in debt.” Life sure was tough back then, eh? What about today? Have things changed?
Kenyans are renown for their hard work and dedication. But we got to ask ourselves, who are we working for? If you pour your heart into your work and work extended hours and weekends, who stands to gain the most? In his book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Robert T Kiyosaki gives this advice, “Mind your own business“. Simply put, this means: stop enriching your employer and start working for yourself!
Do you think, honestly, your boss cares about how much money you make? Does she sit and worry if you can afford to pay your child’s fees? Does she care? See, she is minding her own business and you are very important, because you make her wealthier. Maybe its time you started making yourself wealthier.