Problems Will Not Go Away, so do not Freeze like a Deer Caught in the Headlights
Deal with them before they deal with you
Ten years ago, I was getting ready for work one night when I had a stroke. At the time, I was living in a trailer that I bought after my dad died.
My uncle was living with me at the time. While I was recovering from the stroke, my uncle died. Without knowing it at the time, I was in deep trouble.
I learned hard lessons for sure
I have written several stories about that time in my life, so I’m not going to rehash it here. I did learn some lessons that I didn’t appreciate until later.
I made some mistakes, there were the day-to-day decisions that were wrong. The one overarching mistake was seeing the big picture when it was too late.
I should have asked for help
I’m sure there were agencies and charities I could have contacted that would have helped me. If I had to do it over again, and I pray I don’t, I would get online and on the phone and get help.
I didn’t think that far ahead. I reacted instead of acting. I partied with the blondes instead of taking care of business. I didn’t think about it until years later. I could have talked to a financial planner after getting money from my dad’s estate.
“ No Man is an Island”
John Dunne
In the past, I had older, more experienced family members to counsel me. When my uncle passed away I had no one to go to for advice.
A financial Planner would have helped me with a budget. With proper planning, I wouldn’t have broken The CD early. Without the CD I had no emergency funds to cover the rent.
People were not meant to go it alone
The second thing I would have done is develop a support system early. I have always been a loner. That was cool until I needed help. What would have happened if I had a church family to help me?
I could have found a roommate, but I loved living alone. I had never lived alone before, and I liked it a lot. I know I could have found a roommate, but I didn’t do it.
Every decision I made was wrong, and not making a decision is always wrong
I could go on and on. When I made decisions, they turned out to be the wrong decisions. I have no one to blame but myself. “ No man is an island,” is a quote by John Donne.
It’s a true statement. We all need help. I should have known that. I had help from my parents and my uncle, so how were things going to be different?
I live in fear that I might screw up again
Nothing changed. I needed help and I blew it. I survived almost three years of homelessness. I made it, but I live in fear that it might happen again.
I’m determined that’s not going to happen. I will take care of business. I will find help, I help, I will talk to folks at church. I will do whatever is necessary to stay off the streets.
Final thought
Don’t try to go it alone. Find help wherever you can find it. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; take care of business before having fun.
