Those Darn Bumps in the Road

I haven’t written earlier today because I have been thinking about our recent bump in the road with our reduced income. I found myself trying to think of the possible ways one could react to a bump in the road. I came up with a few that I would like to share with everyone.

For a visual here, you are riding a bike and you hit the bump and fall off. You are not injured too bad, but you need to shake your head a little bit to gather your wits.

Here are a few things I thought of that can happen when you are at that point:

1.) After you stop shaking your head, you look back at the bump you hit. Think about why you hit it and how you will avoid it next time. You get back on your bike, take another look at that bump behind you, shake your head one last time, and pedal on your way on the path you were going.

2.) With your head still shaking, you go to that bump in the road, kick and yell at it a few times and as you whip around to walk away you shuffle some rocks on it for good measure. You grab your bike, slam it upright so it does a little bounce, and then go on your way.

3.) Your head doesn’t shake long and before you know it you are grabbing some sticks to help level out that bump you hit. Yes, you already hit it once and may not hit it again, but you know you’ll come back around these parts again and you know others do too. So, you take that stick to fix the bump. It doesn’t take long, and when you are done you dust off your hands, get back on your bike and continue on your path.

I’ll admit, I’ve done #2 many times. Anger, I found, never did me that well. Before I knew it I was hitting the next bump because my vision was clouded by madness. I think as I’ve gotten older, I have gotten wiser so I am less angry overall.

#1 is the one that I relate to now. I reflect back on what happened in a calm manner and then head on my way.

I think, though, that I want to be at the point where I do #3. It may take longer to smooth out that bump so it doesn’t make you fall next time, but the time spent may be well worth it.

I’ll have more to say about #3 tomorrow. In the meantime, do you have any thoughts? Any other options to add?

Posted by Tricia on January 23, 2007 at 10:31 PM in Misc | 12 Comments »
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Donna Piranha responded:
Posted: January 24th, 2007 at 12:15 am
Well, when I was going through a hard time years ago, a friends mom gave me a book called, “The Bumps Are What You Climb On”. I never actually read the book, but the title still comes to mind when I’m faced with one of those damn bumps. I’ve soothed friends and children, as well as myself with those words.
I guess it’s true that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Live and learn and all that.
Anyway, that’s what I was moved to say.
Joane responded:
Posted: January 24th, 2007 at 10:07 am
We all like to think we would do number 3 – to possibly help ourselves in the future, but more likely to help others – after all, the next time we bike down that road, we would be watching for the bump.

The best part of any of those scenarios is that you got back on the bike and rode on. You have been dealt quite a bump. I got that bump 20 years ago when I was a single mother with four kids. It was the best thing that ever happened to me, and the most terrifying. Your family will be fine, and your husband will pursue his dreams. I did. I’ve never forgotten the terror; but it made me get my life straightened out.

We are all praying for you and your family.
Karen responded:
Posted: January 24th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Just remember that what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger; and, everything happens for a reason. So many things in life that we look at as tragedies later turn out to be blessings!
Claire responded:
Posted: January 24th, 2007 at 11:46 am
I really like your analogy, Trish. I’m feeling a little convicted because of it. I’m not angry as much as in a constant state of anxiety due to debt. I realize I’ve got to get that stick out and start smoothing instead of stressing all the time. Thanks for the reminder. I’m praying for your family during this *exciting* time of transition!
Claire responded:
Posted: January 24th, 2007 at 11:47 am
I wish I could edit my remarks to spell your name correctly, Tricia! I’m sorry!
Megan responded:
Posted: January 24th, 2007 at 12:57 pm
I really like your analogy as well. I think you’re doing a great job – and I think it’s great that you are getting right back on that bike.
GInger responded:
Posted: January 24th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
Hello Trica, I know you must be very busy but here is a web site that I found through Frugal Living it is at http://www.livingonadime. It may have more ideas for you to cut cost.
Nancy responded:
Posted: January 25th, 2007 at 1:25 am
Tricia, I think you’re already doing #3, by blogging as you are!
Matt responded:
Posted: January 25th, 2007 at 8:49 am
I think both #1 and #3 are options, I like your idea of #3 because so many people don’t even consider this an option. It’s a matter of knowing if this bump is one that is worth dealing with.. and more importantly what exactly was the bump? was it your husband loosing his job that was the bump or the fact that you’re in debt and needed that money? I think you’re already working on your #3 option in that you’re getting rid of your debt.
Rodeo of Debt Reduction #4 → We’re In Debt responded:
Posted: January 27th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
[...] Blogging Away Debt talks about the bumps in the road. You can easily apply these bump resolutions to slips and backslides in your debt reductions. [...]
Blogging Away Debt » Blog Archive » Smoothing Out those Bumps in the Road responded:
Posted: January 30th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
[...] A few days ago I talked about those darn bumps in the road. I thought about a few things that can happen once you hit that bump and fall off your bike. [...]
This Week in the Carnivals » My Money Blog responded:
Posted: February 1st, 2007 at 1:21 am
[...] Looking to learn from someone who’s had some bumps in the road and still has a great attitude about it? Check out BloggingAwayDebt. [...]