Bob from Christian PF.com had a wonderful post recently. It made me stop and think–a lot.
“Money doesn’t solve money problems
I know it sounds absurd – doesn’t it? But the truth is that just like an alcoholic doesn’t break free from the addiction by drinking more, our money problems don’t go away with more money either. The reason it sometimes appears that they do, is because it can cover them up – for a while.”
The underlying force of my entire adult life has been to make more money and, as an understood byproduct, get out of debt. If you read my post (in the Sigmund’s Couch Category) How our Childhood Experiences Influence our Adult “Money Selves”: Part 1, you will see where this feeling comes from–the irrational belief that I never have “enough.”
Bob, in his post, refers to the Parable of the Talents. It is truly thought provoking. It illustrates how we influence our own prosperity by how we handle our current resources or assets. The man in the parable who is given five “talents” or coins turns these coins into 10. When his master returns he is given much more because of the risks and wisdom he used in increasing his talents.
When we look at what we currently have do we cherish it, or dismay over what it is not? If not, how does this negativity seep into all of our efforts? What we perceive (a bad situation for example) is what we will achieve.
In my years as a physical therapist I visited hundreds of families in their homes. I have been in homes where the roaches crawled around the walls and over the toes of my shoes. I have been in inner city homes, tiny homes, that were spotlessly clean and lovingly–even lavishly–decorated.
I have known lots of professionals who were wealthy (indoor pools, extravagant vacations) who were absolutely miserable, longing for some magical rescue to remove them from the burdens of their long hours and many obligations.
I have also known people who are very low income who had habits that allowed them to save for cruises, pay off their mortgages years ahead of schedule, and pay for family members’ college tuitions.
How much money would it take to make you happy? To get you out of debt and keep you out of debt? Is there that much money? Are you waiting to be rescued or forming your own army of skills and habits?
It is a lot to wrestle with but I think it’s absolutely key in our efforts to find what we really, really want in life-debt free.
NOW ONE OF MY FAVORITE QUOTES:
“No matter where you go, there you are.” Buckaroo Bonzai and others.
