‘Hood’ is often used to refer to a tightly-knit urban community. It is a rich tapestry of local culture, history, and personal connections that shape the identities of those who reside there. Living in a hood exposes a person to rough experiences and people such as robberies and drug dealers. However, despite the negative associations that sometimes come with living in such a place, those who have lived in a “hood” know that the place serves as the pulse of cities and reflects the diversity of urban life.
Growing up in a place where hard times are part of your day-to-day living will teach you some of the most critical life lessons. After all, poverty is a great teacher that offers classes on how to live a more meaningful life. Some of these lessons will toughen you, preparing you as you navigate more storms coming into your life.
For example, author Frederick Jordan grew up in the projects of North East Washington, DC. Frederick survived gang wars and limited resources to live correctly. Yet, he overcame insurmountable feats in life and is now working on improving the lives of African Americans and other minority communities. His book QUOTES, JOKES and STORIES TO LIVE BY: Mostly from the “Hood” provides boundless inspiration to those who have lived in the hood and everyone else. Here are some practical lessons from someone who lived in the “hood” that others in all walks of life may use.
- Be Smart with Money
Many say money isn’t the key to happiness, but those struggling with necessities such as food and shelter might disagree. What a privilege it must be not to decide whether to buy clothes or food and not both. Living in a ghetto makes one realize the value of money and having enough of it, which will encourage people to be financially savvy.
Knowing how and when to spend your cash can help support your values and goals in life. Not only will it allow you to use your debt responsibly, but it will also help you track your spending or run the business of your dreams.
- Don’t Just Survive; Live Creatively
Those who grew up in a project know how poverty makes one resourceful with what they have. Having limited resources will force you to look into how to earn and save more, especially with grocery items and other necessities that come in offers, discounts, and sales.
While you don’t have to be poor to look for more nutrient-enriched meals, it can motivate you to go for more filling food options, such as homemade dishes that you can prepare from scratch using simple and affordable ingredients. Looking for ways to prepare your meals creatively is also great for your health and the environment.
- Cultivate the Power of Compassion
Compassion is viewed as one of the core values of being human. Through it, people can show their kindness, which often sparks unity. Knowing that you have a community to turn to when life gets tough goes a long way in an environment where food and security are insecure.
In projects, ghettos, hoods, or whichever one calls it, hardship is evident, but so is compassion. You will witness people from all walks of life helping each other in ways that help, such as free medical missions, feeding programs, and community projects. Neighbors sharing simple home-cooked meals are also a wonder to behold. Whether you have experienced them or not, knowing they exist is more than inspiring.
- Stay Strong Yet Gentle
Living in the hood makes a person mentally and emotionally challenging. Not having enough often makes one question several things, such as what it means to be strong. For some, it forces them to resort to evil deeds, which means they have to make difficult choices to get by to live more comfortably.
As one goes through life and outlives the hood, one discovers what it means to live more than to survive. The difficulties will soon become lessons that inspire one to give back and inspire others rather than be cold and resentful.
- Be Grateful
Poverty teaches one to survive with limited resources and enjoy simple things. Emotionally, there will be times when daily living becomes overwhelming, especially when you have to deal with one problem to another. Looking back at your life in the hood, you will realize how blessed you have been to persist what you thought you couldn’t go through. Surviving the noise from the hood will allow you to find stillness and gratitude for whatever problem life offers you in other places and lifetimes.
The hood is no paradise, especially for children, yet growing up and surviving the hardships of living there certainly strengthens one. The streets and alleys of the neighborhood are a source of raw wisdom, offering profound reflections on life through the experiences and challenges faced there.
Discover more lessons and awe-inspiring stories from the hood with QUOTES, JOKES and STORIES TO LIVE BY: Mostly from the “Hood” is now available on ReadersMagnet Bookstore, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble. Learn more about Frederick and his works by visiting his website: https://www.frederickjordan.com/.
References:
What Growing Up In The Hood Taught Me.
Lessons From The Hood
5 things I learned growing up in the projects