The day I realized Santa wasn't real
Friends, Growing up, my parents did everything they could to provide a life filled with love and happiness. But we didn't have much, and rarely did I get what I asked for during Christmas. When I was 8, I wrote a list of 20 things I wanted for gifts. Half of that list was just me repeating the Game Boy color. You know the atomic purple one that was transparent. Every single one of my friends had a Game Boy and were playing Pokemon Yellow. When I woke up that Christmas morning, I ran to the tree and found a single gift. I tore it open, and my heart was racing...but instead of a Game Boy, I was holding on to a container of plastic arm soldiers. My heart sank, and I felt upset. As my parents came down, I had to hide my emotions and replace it with a face of gratitude. That morning, I learned two things: Santa ain't real. And man, was I pissed. As I got older and listened to grown-up conversations, I began to understand. We were a lower-middle class family, and money was always tight. I remember asking my mom for a Playstation when it first came out, and her response stuck with me: "It's either the Playstation or food on the table." Or... "Take a bite out of the video game" I know my parents wanted to give me more, but they simply couldn't. Different times back then. But those moments built something in me. They built a belief that if I wanted something, I had to work hard and earn it. That belief has shaped everything I've done. I've achieved things most people my age haven't, not because I was lucky, but because I refused to accept mediocrity. The discontent for ordinary fuels me – not just financially, but in my personal growth and achievements. I want to stand out. I want to excel. I want to keep leveling up. Life is harsh, competitive, and unforgiving. If you're not prepared, it will break you. I believe the best way to thrive is through experience and hardship. That's why I'm so drawn to trading. Trading gives you that competitive edge – it separates you from the crowd.