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When I was a kid (a few days ago – if you count mental years), we were poor. So poor we tried to use popcorn as cereal one time because that was what we had left. The milk just turned it into mush. We did have an air-conditioner, and telephone, and never completly ran out of food, though. Compared to the majority of people around the world we were quite well-off.
But, we were very poor. So poor, we could not afford a Nintendo game system. You know, the original one with Mario Brothers and Duck Hunt. Everyone had to have one. It was more important than food or clothes or any other of that boring stuff. Without Nintendo, life was, well…. just not life. At least that was what my friend thought. I was just glad I had a friend that let me play on his occasionally.
Not having everything you want is adversity for a kid, but it is a good type of adversity. Not having a bunch of expensive toys forced my imagination and creativity to grow. This was part of what made learning to program so exciting a few years later. I also got enjoy playing outside, and learning what poison ivy was. I learned that you can have lots of fun without “stuff”, and I learned how to make friends. I learned to take care of the few things I had, and I learned to share. I learned that stuff really is not that important, and many other valuable lessons about time and money. This adversity ended up being one of the best things that ever happened to me.
The most important lesson I learned from this and other adverse circumstances in my childhood was that adversity is actually good for you.
This is one of my submissions to the April WILF adversity groupwrite Project. To find what that means and join in on the fun head over to Robert Hruzek’s Middle Zone Musings.
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Luke,
Excellent lessons, especially that adversity is good for us—though we don’t think so when we’re going through it.
I guess I must’ve had a somewhat deprived childhood – never had any of that stuff! Had to make do with my imagination instead, like you.
On the other hand, I discovered whole worlds of adventure… some of which were actually, y’know, real!
Hey, thanks for the extra entry, Luke, and a hat tip to ya!
I hope you learned that Mom’s homemade bread is sooo good.
I used to own a Nintendo FamCom when I was a kid, but I had to share it with my siblings and cousins. We were given every toys we want when we were kids, but the adversity is not to be able to spend much time with my parents. I have forgotten all the toys and material things given to me, but what I have kept in mind are the times when I was sick and my parents are not there by my side. I don’t want my son to have that same adversity.
I remember feeling so out of the loop at school because I grew up in a no-TV house (my parents were hippies). I still feel a bit odd when people quote shows that “everyone knows” but I’m mostly glad I had all the hours for other things. I’ve also converted Stick away from the box, we don’t have cable now.
Luke-
I truly appreciate the adversity message, coming from a similar background myself. This post definitely struck home.
Adversity is good for you…like broccoli. And since a little of it goes a long way, it’s something we should give our kids a taste of. Many years ago we donated our only television set to a Vietnamese family our church was sponsoring, and I will never forget the looks on our kids’ faces as it was carried out. However, their deprivation lasted only about six months, a blessed six months without the noise of Saturday morning cartoons.
Luke-
I believe I am supposed to put my request for Microsoft Office here. It would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
I haven’t had a Nintendo since I was a little poor kid too.
I wasn’t a big fan of them though, I had other game systems.
Interesting. I didn’t have a Nintendo and that really helped me to be a good student a school without distractions and looking to be a good person with others.
I think you could have had more fun playing outside than sitting your home with a nintendo personally, trust me its more healthy than playing Nintendo and getting the Mario to meet his princess and hunting down those ducks
Another good life lesson from such simpler times was patience
Technological advancements and the internet have meant that most kids of today can no longer wait for anything … they want everything and they want it now
When i read this, i cant help but think about the old days, before my time, when people used to find pleasure in rolling a hoop around with a stick. These people would be turning in their grave at the thought of a Nintendo! Ha!.. The little things we take for granted..