My Will Power Is My Strength

How Hunger strengths my Willpower

Image by Annelise Lords

My willpower is like hunger. Growing up in poverty, being the fourth of six children, there was always a shortage of food. There were many things I didn’t eat, most of what my mother could afford. Being poor and having to feed six children, food choices weren’t a choice or privilege for us. As a child, it was hard for me to understand. The pain of hunger can’t be understood. Hunger wants to be fed. So, I go hungry a lot.

At eight years old, I would rather go hungry than eat what my mother could afford. White rice and cornmeal porridge were some of the foods I didn’t eat. The rest of my sisters and one brother didn’t have a problem with that. They eat what my mother could afford. Rice was easy to cook, very affordable, and a little goes a long way. These two foods were cooked a lot, so hunger became my companion. I was unaware that life taught me willpower, self-control, and strength.

My world was a difficult one. Opportunities were rare. The female body was an asset for all of the wrong reasons. But not for me. My brain is my asset. As a teenager, I was offered many things, including the opportunity to eat at some of the best restaurants. My willpower gave me the strength to stay on the right path. I had a strong belief in my self-worth.

Growing up hungry all of the time, I learn to cook early. I learn to bake too. Developing strong willpower, thanks to hunger, increases my creativity. I think of innovative ways and ideas to ensure I never go hungry again. My children don’t know what hunger is. Hunger made me self-reliant and strong. I learn to cook everything I want to eat.

I have a love and appreciation for food. I learn to eat healthily, too. I also learned to think economically and became darn good at money management. I can go for hours without eating. The willpower and strength I learned from hunger gave me the life I wanted. A life with choices and privilege. Which I can give to my children. Sometimes, life prepares us for our future early. I learn when not to fight life all of the time. I also learn from everything it throws at me.

So when life tests me for strength, willpower, creativity, understanding, innovation, and more, I am ready to pass, all because of hunger.

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoyed it.