by: The Observer
Each passing day uncovers a sobering truth: entitlement has become the thief of dreams. Many young people, eager to climb the ladder of success, end up kicking away the very rungs that could lift them higher. They insist on doing things “their way or no way,” forgetting that “a child who does not listen to advice will listen to consequences.”
This attitude often shows itself in a stubborn refusal to accept constructive criticism. When elders or seasoned professionals extend a helping hand, it is mistaken for an attempt to stifle creativity. Instead of taking advice on board, they put up walls of arrogance, convinced that their shallow experience outweighs the deep wells of wisdom before them. They want to skip the grind and jump the line, trying to build the roof before laying the foundation. Yet, “the one who rushes ahead misses the path.”
https://thecrucialobserver.com/the-illusion-of-opulence-and-the-currency-of-generosity/
Success, however, is not a sprint but a marathon. It requires patience, humility, and discipline. By brushing off mentorship, they shut the door on opportunities that could have propelled them forward. Networking becomes poisoned when ego overshadows gratitude. They burn bridges before crossing them, and when the smoke clears, they find themselves stranded.
The entitlement doesn’t stop at pride—it creeps into material relationships. A gift given today becomes tomorrow’s expectation. Gratitude fades, replaced by demands. The moment you say “no,” all your past sacrifices are swept under the rug. Suddenly, you are branded as unsupportive, your generosity forgotten. As the proverb goes, “The one who eats from your hand today will bite it tomorrow if pride rules the heart.”
This cycle drains the giver emotionally. You find yourself walking on eggshells, knowing your worth in the relationship is tied only to what you can provide. Once the tap runs dry, you are cast aside, sometimes even slandered to others. In biting the hand that fed them, they don’t just lose financial support—they lose trust, reputation, and the rare gift of someone who believed in their potential.
In the end, entitlement isolates. It leaves individuals wandering in a desert of their own making, surrounded by the ashes of relationships they traded for temporary handouts. Their greatest obstacle is not the world’s indifference but their own pride.
The lesson is timeless: “A humble calf drinks from many cows, but a proud one goes thirsty.” Humility builds bridges, gratitude sustains them, and discipline carries us across. Entitlement, on the other hand, burns them all, leaving nothing but smoke where dreams once stood.
