Read One, Get One Free!
So, I had another money-related thought, and it couldn't wait until next Monday.
I'm going to be super bottom-shelf honest. I don't struggle very much with money issues. I have my ups and downs, but my variances are minor (the girls' dresses being the major exception). I was raised in a home without major money struggles, and my own home has never seen serious financial hardships. Ultimately, I couldn't possibly understand- deeply understand- what it is like to overcome huge financial situations. I simply haven't lived it. And I apologize if I've ever come across as condescending in the things I've said. Truly. I am sorry.
I had a bit of an epiphany about 3 minutes ago, and I want to share it with y'all. In its context, it has nothing to do with money, but the application is there.
I'm in the middle of a no-good, very bad day. I don't feel good. The water has been out most of the day. The kids are moody. And Tony is on my nerves. It's a day that makes me want to go to bed, but more than that, it's a day that makes me want to eat. Cookies. Frosting. Chips. Steak and baked potato. I'm an equal opportunity snacker. But you know what hit me?
Those foods are only going to help for a moment. Then, tomorrow, I'm going to start my day in a lousy mood because I've gained weight. Am I going to eat because I'm discouraged then, too? What good is that going to do me? Or I am going to have to kill myself at the gym working double time to make up for the binge? Time to stop. Now. Before I go any deeper than I already have.
Same works for finances. Sometimes the frustrations of life can build up, and we believe that a new x,y, or z will make us feel better. And it does. For a moment. Unfortunately, though, that feeling passes, and we're left with more issues than we started with. So, I am giving me, and you, permission to say "no" to all the voices saying that we must fill our need for immediate satisfaction. And I'm praying that you, and I, make the CHOICE to deal with the actual frustrations.
Temporal solutions don't fix issues of the heart. Cookies aren't going to make my day better. And a new purse isn't going to help your hurt. Time for us deal with the issues head on. And saving the food and the shopping for when it's a need. We can do this. One moment at a time.
I'm going to be super bottom-shelf honest. I don't struggle very much with money issues. I have my ups and downs, but my variances are minor (the girls' dresses being the major exception). I was raised in a home without major money struggles, and my own home has never seen serious financial hardships. Ultimately, I couldn't possibly understand- deeply understand- what it is like to overcome huge financial situations. I simply haven't lived it. And I apologize if I've ever come across as condescending in the things I've said. Truly. I am sorry.
I had a bit of an epiphany about 3 minutes ago, and I want to share it with y'all. In its context, it has nothing to do with money, but the application is there.
I'm in the middle of a no-good, very bad day. I don't feel good. The water has been out most of the day. The kids are moody. And Tony is on my nerves. It's a day that makes me want to go to bed, but more than that, it's a day that makes me want to eat. Cookies. Frosting. Chips. Steak and baked potato. I'm an equal opportunity snacker. But you know what hit me?
Those foods are only going to help for a moment. Then, tomorrow, I'm going to start my day in a lousy mood because I've gained weight. Am I going to eat because I'm discouraged then, too? What good is that going to do me? Or I am going to have to kill myself at the gym working double time to make up for the binge? Time to stop. Now. Before I go any deeper than I already have.
Same works for finances. Sometimes the frustrations of life can build up, and we believe that a new x,y, or z will make us feel better. And it does. For a moment. Unfortunately, though, that feeling passes, and we're left with more issues than we started with. So, I am giving me, and you, permission to say "no" to all the voices saying that we must fill our need for immediate satisfaction. And I'm praying that you, and I, make the CHOICE to deal with the actual frustrations.
Temporal solutions don't fix issues of the heart. Cookies aren't going to make my day better. And a new purse isn't going to help your hurt. Time for us deal with the issues head on. And saving the food and the shopping for when it's a need. We can do this. One moment at a time.
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