These days, almost everyone dreams of becoming rich and living a comfortable life. We want to have beautiful houses, luxury cars, and enough money to take care of our needs. There is nothing wrong with wanting a better life, but the truth is that not everyone can be rich. If everyone were to become wealthy, then there would be no poverty in the world. Sadly, poverty has always existed, and no matter how much we try, there will always be people who struggle to survive. This is not negative; it is simply the reality of life. Some people are hardworking but still find it difficult to make ends meet, while others are so relaxed that they are unwilling to make the necessary effort to improve their situation.
Life itself has no manual or clear set of rules. There is no perfect formula that guarantees success. Some people make mistakes early in life but later find their way and succeed. Others start on a good note with bright opportunities but eventually lose direction and miss out in the end. The Bible even reminds us that “the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong,” which means that success is not always about who is fastest or strongest, but about time, chance, and perseverance.
Unfortunately, many young people today lack perseverance. They want quick success without going through the necessary process. They desire wealth but are not ready to pay the price. However, can we really blame them completely? The truth is that many of our leaders have set the wrong examples. When those in power acquire wealth without doing any real work or running genuine businesses, what message does that send to the youth? It teaches them that shortcuts are acceptable, even if they are wrong. But we must also remember that two wrongs do not make a right. Evil can not be used to justify evil.
Another major challenge is our education system. The kind of education most young people receive today is not preparing them for the jobs and opportunities of the 21st century. Many of the courses being studied in higher institutions are outdated and do not equip students with practical skills. At the end of their studies, most graduates are only literate; they can read and write, but they are not truly prepared for the world of work. Our schools focus mainly on fighting illiteracy rather than training problem-solvers and innovators.
To fix this, there must be a total review of the curriculum to meet the changing needs of society. Education should not just be about passing exams and getting certificates. It should equip young people with skills that will help them create opportunities for themselves and others.
Every year, thousands of graduates leave school only to roam the streets, searching endlessly for white-collar jobs that are simply not available. This creates frustration and hopelessness. If we truly want a better society, we must work together to support one another. Leaders must lead by example, schools must prepare students for the real world, and young people must be willing to work hard and persevere. Only then can we build a future where everyone has a fair chance to succeed.