living beyond measure
This is just a note of gratitude for my financial state. I believe this life is because God has blessed me. I believe my job is to be a good steward and use my wealth to be a blessing to others. Right now, I am almost $80,000 in debt. But I am blessed. I’ve been paid, and with that money, I’ve paid everyone I owe money to this month. I am not in arrears on any account I have. No one is calling me, intimidating me, trying to get me to pay them something I owe them. My utilities are not at risk of being shut off. My refrigerator and cupboards are full of nutritious food. I can afford to go to the gym and keep my body in good health. I don’t have to ask my family members to help me carry my expenses, even though I know they would if I ever had to ask them to. My clothes are clean and pressed, and I have enough to mix and match so that I’m not embarrassed at work. I have a job! In a matter of weeks, I’ll be able to start saving in a 401K for retirement. I am paying my debt by leaps and bounds - with hundreds of dollars at a time. And still I have money left to go to the beach or visit relatives, or like yesterday, eat tacos for lunch! I am blessed. I can dream about paying off debts, about accumulating savings, about buying a home of my own, about being an asset to a happy marriage, about raising healthy, happy, intelligent, inquisitive children… I believe I can live my dreams. Not everyone can say these things, and but for the grace of God, I wouldn’t be able to, either. This is a good life - a very, very, good life, and I am rich. Almost $80,000 in (shrinking) debt, but rich beyond measure.
It is important to step back occasionally and look at what we do have and how far we’ve come. It makes the road ahead not seem so forbidding. I was measuring my month against yours, and you are right–I, too, can count all those blessings. Well, except for the marriage part, and having all my clothes pressed.
Comment by Grace — September 14, 2007 @ 11:01 am
It’s good that you look at it that way. Some people would be depressed.
By the fact you are current is also very good. Not many people can pull that off.
I see you have a big hole (debt) but it seems like you have and ever bigger shovel (income) to get out of it.
$80K is that student loans?
Actually, I’m not discouraged at all. I know my earning potential, and it’s only a matter of time before I get there, at which point my debt will shrink quicker. To answer your question, $60K is student loans. The rest is my steadily dwindling car note and my rapidly shrinking old credit card debt. All my numbers are on my NetworthIQ page - the link is right above my net worth progress bar.
Comment by Moneymonk — September 14, 2007 @ 12:12 pm
I am glad you realized just how blessed you are. I always think of how blessed I am, not really for financial reasons, but for having my kid.
Comment by s23 — September 14, 2007 @ 2:19 pm
What a great post! It’s such a great thing to sit back and bask in gratitude for what you have. No matter how bad things get, I always feel grateful that I have an intellect that enables me to know what needs doing and figure out how to get it done. I can earn money, I can invest, I can study/read, I can write…it’s really amazing when you realize a lot of people simply don’t have basic things like cognitive ability. That’s my (our) ultimate blessing.
Comment by Meg — September 14, 2007 @ 2:23 pm
Being thankful must be in the air. I posted something really similar yesterday. I think when you’re trying to get out of debt it can be really daunting and easy to get down, just focusing on what you don’t have. I almost forgot how blessed I am. thanks for the post!
Comment by Ms. M&P — September 14, 2007 @ 2:37 pm
Beautiful, beautiful post.
Comment by Single Ma — September 14, 2007 @ 6:00 pm
Well said
Comment by tiredofbeingbroke — September 14, 2007 @ 7:23 pm
Girl, this post is me to a T…except my student loan is significantly lower than yours, but still a huge amount to me. I am linking this post in my blog. I love it!!! Thanks for posting this!!!
Comment by I'm Fabulous, Deal With It!!! — September 14, 2007 @ 7:46 pm
When I’m feeling a little down, I just look around my apartment…which is paid for by me. Even though I’m renting, it’s a great place for me…I love to be able to ride my bike to work…I love that I’m able to run a 10k with my boyfriend…
Comment by SavingDiva — September 17, 2007 @ 11:50 am
~Tapping fingers over here.~ Wondering where is Sistahant! LOL
Comment by s23 — September 18, 2007 @ 9:43 am
Amen. Stay Blessed.
Comment by Constance — September 18, 2007 @ 12:32 pm