Ideas, Behaviors, and Changing the System: A Deep Dive into Wealth Creation

I hope the past week has been productive on your wealth creation journey. As always, my goal is simple: to help you walk in wealth mentally, physically, spiritually, and financially. We aim to take the gifts and talents that God has bestowed upon you and utilize them to create a purposeful life. Because, you see, wealth is not just about acquisitions; wealth is about who you become.

You are the wealth, not your investments, not your real estate, not your business. Before any of those, you possess a unique set of talents, abilities, gifts, ideas, habits, disciplines, and inclinations that form the essence of everything you do in this world. Once you tap into that, your wealth creation journey truly begins.

But before we delve into the heart of today's discussion, a quick reminder: If you haven't followed me on social media yet, please do. Find me on Instagram at @GarnierJD, on Facebook at @JD Garnier SR, and don't forget to subscribe, like, and share the Melanomics YouTube channel. You can also download the audio on my podcast by subscribing to Melanomics on iTunes and Spotify.

For those in the New Orleans area, catch my radio show every Monday and Wednesday at 8:00 and 10:00 AM on KKNO K75 AM or 107.1 FM radio in New Orleans. If you have any topics you'd like me to discuss on the show, feel free to email me directly at jd@jdgarnier.com.

Now, let's jump into today's topic. Recently, I had the privilege of being invited to Washington DC on behalf of an organization I'm not directly affiliated with, but some close colleagues and friends are. They invited me to share my perspective, given my almost 25 years in financial services, on how we can close the wealth gap. The setting was none other than the White House, and I had the opportunity to speak in front of over 60 highly successful individuals from around the country, including members of the White House administration.

It was an honor and a refreshing experience to engage with like-minded men who share my sentiments, ideas, and passions about improving circumstances in our community. For those who may feel hopeless, I assure you there are intelligent, successful, and passionate individuals working behind the scenes on our behalf. I'm proud to have been part of that crucial conversation, and I'll share more details in future episodes.

Now, the reflection from this event has led me to contemplate how we got to our current economic position and, more importantly, how we can change it. What is the crucial factor that needs to shift to put us back on course? This has been at the forefront of my thoughts since leaving Washington.

Everything, as they say, has a trade-off. The Civil Rights Act was a significant legislative milestone in our lifetime, enabling us to integrate into mainstream society. However, it came with its own set of consequences. Economically, it shifted our focus from a sense of community to becoming consumers. The decline in our economic circumstances rapidly followed, and this realization has prompted me to consider the roots of this trade-off.

The 70s marked the beginning of a pivotal era – the computer age replacing the industrial age. Factories employing inner-city residents began to close, leading to a phenomenon known as white flight. This period is crucial to understanding the economic challenges we faced, compounded by the crack cocaine epidemic in the 80s. The result? Massive unemployment, economic disparities, and a decline in the value system within our community.

Fast forward to today, where the racial wealth gap persists. White families control over 86% of the wealth in the country, while black families control less than 3%. The average net worth of a white family is approximately $186,000, while a black family's average net worth hovers around $17,000.

How do we change this? How do we address the systemic issues that have led us to this point? It's a question that demands attention and a thoughtful response. The key, in my view, lies in understanding the power of ideas.

Everything that exists begins as an idea. Every object, every concept, every sensation – they all originate in someone's mind. Ideas are entities in the universe, separate and apart from ourselves. The moment an idea is formed, it exists. An idea has the potential to become a reality, shaping our decisions and guiding us through life.

But here's the catch – ideas can be controlled. The system controls our ideas by manipulating our environment, consumption habits, and senses. Understanding this manipulation is crucial to dismantling the system and taking control of our economic interests.

How do we fight the system? The answer, according to JD Garnier, is surprisingly simple – change your behaviors. The system relies on specific behaviors from a certain percentage of the population. By collectively changing our behaviors, we can break free from the system's control and reshape our circumstances.

JD advocates for expanding our realm of ideas, prioritizing education for ourselves and our children, and collectively committing to saving and investing in our communities. The power lies in changing our mindset and behaviors, collectively contributing to a new narrative that prioritizes economic empowerment and wealth creation.

Join JD Garnier on this transformative journey of self-discovery, community empowerment, and wealth creation on "Walking in Wealth."