Be truthful about your emotions, and use your mind and emotions in your favor, not against yourself." "Whoa!" said Mike. "Don't worry about what I just said. It will make more sense in years to come. Just be an observer, not a reactor, to your emotions. Most people do not know that it's their emotions that are doing the thinking. Your emotions are your emotions, but you have got to learn to do your own thinking." "Can you give me an example?" I asked. "Sure," replied rich dad. "When a person says, 'I need to find a job,' it's most likely an emotion doing the think- ing. Fear of not having money generates that thought." "But people do need money if they have bills to pay," I said. "Sure they do," smiled rich dad. "All I'm saying is that it's fear that is all too often doing the thinking." "I don't understand," said Mike. "For example," said rich dad. "If the fear of not having enough money arises, instead of immediately running out to get a job so they can earn a few bucks to kill the fear, they instead might ask themselves this question. 'Will a job be the best solution to this fear over the long run?' In my opinion, the answer is 'no.' Especially when you look over a person's lifetime. AJob is really a short-term solution to a long-term problem." "But my dad is always saying, 'Stay in school, get good grades, so you can find a safe, secure job.'" I spoke out, somewhat confused. "Yes, I understand he says that," said rich dad, smiling. "Most people recommend that, and it's a good idea for most people. But people make that recommendation pri- marily out of fear." "You mean my dad says that because he's afraid?" "Yes," said rich dad. "He's terrified that you won't be able to earn money and won't fit into society. Don't get me wrong. He loves you and wants the best for you. And I think his fear is justified. An education and a job are im- portant. But it won't handle the fear. You see, that same fear that makes him get up in the morning to earn a few bucks is the fear that is causing him to be so fanatical about you going to school." "So what do you recommend?" I asked. "I want to teach you to master the power of money. Not be afraid of it. And they don't teach that in school. If you don't learn it, you become a slave to money." It was finally making sense. He did want us to widen our views. To see what Mrs. Martin cOjild not see, his em- ployees could not see, or my dad for that matter. He used examples that sounded cruel at the time, but I've never for- gotten them. My vision widened that day, and I could begin to see the trap that lay ahead for most people. "You see, we're all employees ultimately. We just work at different levels," said rich dad. "I just want you boys to have a chance to avoid the trap. The trap caused by those rmotjons, fear and desire. Use them in your favor, not against you. That's what I want to teach you. I'm not in- terested in just teaching you to make a pile of money.