Chitty-Chat...

So--last week I went to my FAVORITE conference ever!!

I LOVE it---so much that last year--afterward--I lived through the worst blizzard experience I'd ever had in my life (and hopefully, ever will) because I was trying to get home from my FAVORITE conference.

Any-who--I heard from some awesome professionals at this conference about getting my writing going--and got some marvelous ideas (professional writing). But one thing they suggested was to do "free writes"--about anything--whether related to your profession or not.

And I realized--I'm already doing that.

So--right now--I'm free writing :)

(Now I just have to work harder on the serious writing).

Otay--so, let's have a little chitty-chat--a chitty chat about debt.

In recent years I've had a lot of experience with this little subject. And oddly enough, in this day and age, I do not believe I'M ALONE :?

Well--hydie ho, I've had some different experiences than some when it comes to this lovely subject.

First of all--the majority of the "large debt" I've accrued I did so with Spiritual permission.

Nope--not kidding--got on my knees (well--more so my hind quarters cause kneeling is not so pleasant....) and pleaded with the higher power--and begged, and pleaded--to not have to. Yup--

And I was told--to DO IT!!!

So--I did. Yup--that was the first time.

So--when the question came up, and I was told "get a master's degree"--I said "Um, but that means I'm going to have to go into debt--cause um, I don't just have $18,000, and um, on a teacher's salary in UT--there's no way I'm going to get that kind of mulah". And I was told--to DO IT!!!!

So--again--I did.

And THEN--the PhD issue came up--and yup--again--the "higher power" and I had some discussions about this issue. This was A LOT of debt. Plus--I had to get a new car--more debt. Plus--I began to see with my masters--and more so with my PhD--that credit card debt was part of the deal as well.

I mean--I'm beginning to realize that, at least for the first couple years it's almost like owning one's own small business, with lots of "revolving" expenses--this "higher ed" gig.

Thus--more debt. Oh--nevermind the medical costs for medications and surgery accrued--cause, I was on student insurance. Or the $4000 to fix a dying car, which I then felt prompted to replace (oh my word--and yes, I had 2 mechanics take me for a ride with all that mulah--I HATE that!!!)

Oh--and then there was the "stint" last year up north--and the message sent VERY quickly and firmly that this was "temporary" and that I was to move.

And more pleading, groveling, begging---but straight talk "This means more debt!!!"

The answer "Just DO IT!"

Whew! So--now that I"ve laid out my financial situation for you--let's talk about the recent 1 grand plus car fix as of late.

OH MY WORD!!

Now--I'm sure there are some of you out there thinking just what some (especially LDS) people would think--"This is why we do not go into debt".

Mmmmmm---I've pondered this for a good long time.

No--debt is not fun. But then--paying bills of any type is not really that "fun".

And truly--aren't we always in debt--to someone?

I mean--whether you're renting or buying a home--you use it--and then pay for it. i.e. debt.

Or heat, water, sewer, etc. Use it--pay for it.

And let's not even talk about the Spiritual debt each of us owe.

I know--debt is scary--but living is scary.

And you know--I have to say this: Embracing the 'scary" of debt over the last half decade has afforded me more LIVING than I ever would have done, sitting in UT, scared of going into debt.

Oddly enough--even though I know we (LDS) always hear how debt ties us down--this debt has also "freed" me.

I know--that sounds weird. Part of it is that most of the debt was accrued either to pay directly for, or to support me in obtaining higher education. Which was "freeing".

Part of it was realizing that if I do what the Lord says, even if it seems "unwise"--the Lord will take care of me (Boy--I'm learning that this week).

Part of it was biting the bullet and saying "do you want to live NOW--while you're breathing--or regret forever--even when you're not". I'd rather live now, thanks.

And interestingly enough--the Lord has taught me a thing or two.

First of all, that going into debt is NOT--I repeat, NOT a sin.

Stealing is a sin (thus, not honestly working to pay off your debt could be considered a sin)--but going into debt is not.

And that those whom treat others poorly (I can probably be guilty of that I'm sure) for having debt--need to "chill out".

Further, sometimes the lesson of getting out of debt is important to learn. It takes work--little by little, to get things to pay off, and grow (sounds almost like that "law of the harvest" thing.

And, oddly enough--with this latest crisis--the Lord has taught me that people--a lot of people are GOOD. That it truly is as good to give as it is to RECEIVE (and I've had to humble myself this week and do some Receiving from VERY generous people. I've never experienced such generousity personally before. Brings tears to my eyes).

And--interestingly enough--the Lord just recently gave me an answer--to switch around how I've been trying to pay things off (even from how typically the Church leaders suggest) and do it differently--cause I can get out of a few payments faster this way.

So--what' is my point of this chitty-chat?

I don't know. Just that you never know how the Lord will work things. And sometimes we learn the most by stepping into the invisible "unknown" with faith. Even if it means stepping into debt. :)