Last week I was having a conversation with a friend of mine named Joey. A little background: Joey is a guy who is filled with an energy seldom matched by others. He is genuinely excited about life and has insights that others may espouse but don’t really practice. Well, ladies and gentlemen, Joey is a true believer who practices what he preaches, which I believe is why he has attained what he has. He lives life on his own terms, not caring if others approve or about living up to someone else's imagined standards. In short: he's happy. We don’t always see eye to eye, but I still consider him a friend and as such I listen to what he says. Back to the conversation. The gist of it was that you shouldn't count on anyone but yourself. That really got me thinking. There have been times in the not too distant past when I have canceled plans and let others down. But what about me?  I have been letting myself down for years by backsliding and going further and further into debt instead of digging myself out. Ultimately all this thinking was what led me to the decision to get back on track and pay off my debt. This realization is long overdue and I sense if I don't take definitive action now and do what I feel is right the opportunity may not come again.

     Not only have I been able to maintain my focus, I leveled up! That’s right, I am now level 4! For those of you who haven’t been following along since the onset of my quest, every time I pay off $1000 in credit card debt I gain a level. The quest will be over and the beast will be slain once I reach level 16. I acknowledge I still have a way to go but I am a quarter of the way there! Now is when I must be stronger than ever. I cannot let my leveling up give me the illusion that I am ‘almost there’. There really is no ‘almost there’. I either am or I’m not. So until that final day when the debt monster is slain I shall keep on.

     This week's selfie is actually a somewhat serious one. I feel I have captured the essence of how I've felt this past week. Uncertain, frustrated, and continually contemplating.

Selfie #13

     Until next time constant readers be true to yourself, do what's best for you and remember