When I was laid off from my job in November of last year, I got exactly what I wanted; and that was to be unemployed. I could barely pay my bills. My debt was increasing because I had to use my credit cards as a resource to help sustain and I was so unhappy about the structure of the department and the company. I used to tell my girlfriends, "I am so miserable working, I really want to do my own thang!" SO when the opportunity presented itself, I was sort of afraid of it. But once I thought about all of the free time that I would have to work on the projects that I had been procrastinating against for at least one year, my attitude changed. I picked my self up, applied for assistance, and left everything up to my number one source: God.The systematic way of living is not only modern day slavery for most, but it keeps individuals in debt and in bondage for most of their life. I can't speak for many, but I can use myself as a prime example. I went to a four-year university for my Bachelor's degree in Management and a two-year online university for my Masters. Once my adult life begun, I had already started it in a huge amount of debt due to student loans. Because I thought living the so-called "American Dream" involved purchasing a home, my fiancé and I decided to invest. That added more debt to my already growing heap of bills. I learned really early that credit cards weren't the way to go but I did have three major credit cards that I used religiously. And by the time it was all said and done, I had reached the limit on all of them! With a combined salary, credit card bills and student loans, we were not going to get out of debt and I saw myself sinking further and further in sinking sand. I was unhappy because of my situation and my mind was so cloudy with the issues of life, I forgot all about whom I should be talking to about my problems. Working daily just to pay bills was not what I envisioned for my life and I had to do something about it QUICK! Education is vital and so is investing but I wish I had planned my life a little better instead of just going with the flow of the systematic way of living.What is the “systematic way of living?” It is typically for the average American; being born; going to elementary, middle and high school with no worries; being sent off to college for about four to seven years; finally getting into the work force with worries of being successful, advancements, and debts; getting married; purchasing a home; raising a family; and working for about 30-40 years until retirement. The cycle is continuous and helps the economy with cash flow and jobs.November 8, 2008 is when I had an epitome. I looked at all of my accomplishments and what I could do to help myself out of the situation I was in and that's when I learned the power of prayer, accountability, and unwavering faith. I am the Co-Founder of a community-based organization that I so desperately want to give my all. I am a self-proclaimed writer. I am the Queen of Consulting and had professional training while in undergrad to help small businesses start their own business. I actually wrote my own business plan for a small business that I was apart of. I thought to myself, I am sitting on all of these talents, knowledge and training. BUT WHY AM I JUST STTING ON THEM!!!??? Why was I taking the long road when I have the opportunity to make my life much simpler and less complicated? Why would I even consider working 30-40 years for an annual salary of maybe $100,000-$250,000 (and only retire with this amount) when there is so much more out there for my family and I? What is keeping me from living my dreams? Why am I afraid of what I asked for?”People the time is now to get out there and make your dreams a reality. I don’t believe the hoopla of the economy being in a recession. Because I am a citizen directly affected by what’s going on, however, I am not. My lights, water, cable (movie channels included), and Internet, have not been disconnected. My home is not in foreclosure. I have not filed for bankruptcy, and will not by the way. And I am not employed! So what is this telling you?You can survive. No matter what it looks like to others. Figure out what you love to do. What is your passion? What is it that you would do even if you weren’t paid what you wanted to be paid but still happy and content doing? What gives you an adrenaline rush? What can you do better than most without schooling, training, or practice? Do you know a market that is untapped that you can tap into and really become successful?There is a story about a wealthy man who had three servants. The wealthy man went away for a long period of time, but he gave one servant a huge amount of money, another servant just enough money, and the last servant only a small portion of what was his. He provided the amount of money to each based on their abilities. He told these three servants to invest this money while he was away. The story goes on to say that the two servants that received the most money invested the money and had received twice the amount that was given to them. But the last servant buried the money, didn’t touch it, and didn’t invest it. He was afraid to take risks. He was complacent and pessimistic about what could possibly happen. Well the wealthy man returns to his servants and was expecting great news from the three servants but was really anxious to see what the servants did to increase the money that he provided them. When he saw that his first two servants not only made more money than he anticipated, but made a huge profit, he allowed them to enjoy with him the increase. The third servant thought that he did the right thing by just holding on to what was given to him and was excited to be able to give back the money. The wealthy man could not believe that the servant wasted time, did not make a profit, and was disappointed that the servant did not have enough sense to put the money in a bank to just gain interest. Because the servant did not invest or put the money to use, the wealthy man took the money back from him, gave it to the servant who he gave the most money to, and explained to him the importance of utilizing your gifts, talents, and resources to advance in life. He also fired him and wanted nothing to do with him because he felt that the servant was lazy. The third servant began with nothing, and because of his lack of hopefulness, he ended up with nothing.Fifty percent of the world is like the third servant. They hold on to everything they get instead of investing it into something that is going to make a better life for them or someone else. They are ambiguous. They refuse to be risk takers. They are afraid of the “what ifs.” Are you that person? Well, if you are, I am here to say you don’t have to be. I am on my way out of debt and when God see that you are utilizing your gifts or talents to help increase or be of service to others, he always makes provision for you. Don’t be afraid to take your knowledge and talents to the next level. It could just be your answer to a long awaited prayer that needs answering and you will be another person breaking the cycle of the systematic way of living.
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