The Debt Dance

When my husband was a young child (around 9 I think) he and his sister and his cousin were walking down the alley behind their houses. Alleys were a treasure trove for kids because they had all kinds of neat junk that stupid grown ups had thrown away.

This particular day was special, however, as it was several days after Christmas. The place was loaded.

Then it occurred to them that there were dozens, perhaps hundreds, maybe even thousands of Christmas trees. Discarded like last night’s pea and turnip casserole.

But Christmas trees were so valuable. Their parents had told them so (and that’s why many had purchased the shiny metal trees with the color wheel that cast a cheery red, green, blue, or yellow light on the tree.)

Their idea hit them like a polar blast–gather up the trees, put them in the garage, save them next year (maybe water them a little), and sell them! They could make a fortune!

The three entrepreneurs worked all day dragging the heavy trees to the garage (which was temporarily empty while Dad was at work.)

They were so excited adding up their future earnings.

Then…Dad came home.

All hell broke loose. He couldn’t get his car in with the forest of trees in the way. He screamed at the kids, the rest of the kids and then the moms came to see what the hub bub was about. They all laughed at them.

In the end they were ridiculed and shamed because of their idea and had to return the trees back to the alley.

The lesson: don’t risk it. Anything you try will not only fail but it will end in embarrassment and shame.

To this day my husband struggles with taking risks. He constantly seeks that moment in life to act only if everything is secure and perfect. Debt disturbs him tremendously and how to get out of debt is a quest for him.

Childhood forms the paths we take–and don’t take.

Face Your Dreams, Embrace Your Loves

NOW HERE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FUNNIES:
Fridge For Sale

A guy bought a new refrigerator for his house. To get rid of his old fridge, he put it in his front yard and hung a sign on it saying:

“Free to good home. You want it, you take it.”

For three days the fridge sat there without even one person looking twice at it. He eventually decided that people were too un-trusting of this deal.

It looked too good to be true, so he changed the sign to read:

“Fridge for sale $50.”

The next day someone stole it