We all must start where we are right now
June 11th, 2008 | by mbhunter |If you're new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!
Whenever we make a decision to improve ourselves, we have to start where we are right now.
I know: Captain Obvious to the rescue. I picked up that phrase from Gary North (either in Reality Check or in the members’ section) when he was answering a question of someone who was quite a bit behind where he should be (either in terms of retirement savings or career). Before answering questions related to retirement or career, he usually asks that the questioner provide age, location, income, savings, allocation, etc., so that he gets a good idea where the questioner is now.
My post “When do parents hold the financial hammer?” prompted “S” of The Debt Hole to recount a story of how her parents spent her college savings that her grandparents had given her — part of which went to pay for hookers for her father.
In addition to this she’s dealing with chronic pain, and working her way out of $65,000 worth of debt. (It looks like she’s almost two-thirds of the way out of that hole, which is remarkable!)
“S” hasn’t had the best life thus far, but as far as improving and rebuilding her life goes, she’s doing exactly what she should be doing. She knows how she got where she is, and is starting there on the way to where she wants to be. I doubt it’s easy, but she’s well ahead of people in similar situations who don’t know where they are or where they’re going. What was especially heartening was that she owns her situation. That act of ownership is empowering.
We all must start where we are right now. But the good news is: That’s exactly the right time and place to start.
(Thank you “S.”)
3 Responses to “We all must start where we are right now”
By Mrs. Micah on Jun 11, 2008 | Reply
It’s true. I tell myself that when I worry about what I should have done in the past…whether financially or educationally. It’s done, I have what I have no, I am what I am now and I go from here.
Thanks, “S,” for sharing. That’s a lot to come back from.
By fathersez on Jun 14, 2008 | Reply
Right on….a powerful statement. We can only start from where we are at any time. We would only be procrastinating by waiting and waiting for an ideal or better time and place.
Regards
By Steph on Jun 17, 2008 | Reply
Thanks for the kind words. This whole growing up thing is never easy, but I’ve learned a lot of good lessons and regardless of anything else, I think I’m set up in a decent position to move forward with my life. Thanks for the inspiration for the topic as well!