Zen Bankruptcy?

[LeslieF]

even tho i just started the bk process i feel a sense of relief already. throughout the past 2 years of the great recession, i have had lots of time to beat myself up for the financial quagmire i have found myself in and have fought and fought and fought. i am coming to believe that just because i go bk in my late 40s, i lose my business etc., i am not a bad person, an irresponsible person etc. it is hard and sometimes daily or even minute by minute i have to remind myself of that. i have been doing everything possible to get my head above water and save my business but it just is not working! Duh! just because my present door is about to close, doesnt mean another one is not about to open. it is very zen actually. i have learned in these past 2 years of poverty what is really important in life and the 'things' i have already lost are just things--even the brand new car that was repo-ed.. applying again for food stamps and other assistance as a 'business owner' has been humbling to say the least but since i have made the decision to file bk--it is really a matter of perspective. i can either look at it like my world is about to end or it is just the beginning of something new and exciting. these past 2 years have been pure hell--full of stress and hurt and shame both on me and those close to me. why didnt i do it sooner? it doesnt matter. i had to go thru what i went thru to get to the point i am at today. and that is...a faith and belief that it WILL get better. it has to

[DecentHuman]

I'm with you. I can relate.

[onthebrink]

LeslieF,

That's a great attitude! It is a new beginning. You have your whole life ahead of you. I also lost my business and am working to restart it. This has been a humbling experience. I have learned important lessons, one of which is that your character is not defined by your financial situation or bank account. Another one is to look forward, not backward. I read a great quote the other day that I found inspirational:

"One of the secrets of life is making stepping stones out of stumbling blocks".

Best of luck to you

[DecentHuman]

Not to be too corny or religious

Sometimes we wonder, 'What did I do to deserve this?' or 'Why did God have to do this to me?' Here is a wonderful explanation!

A daughter is telling her Mother how everything is going wrong, she's failing algebra, her boyfriend broke up with her and her best friend is moving away. Meanwhile, her Mother is baking a cake and asks her daughter if she would like a snack, and the daughter says, 'Absolutely Mom, I love your cake.'

'Here, have some cooking oil,' her Mother offers.

'Yuck' says her daughter.

'How about a couple raw eggs?'

'Gross, Mom!'

'Would you like some flour then? Or maybe baking soda?'

'Mom, those are all yucky!'

To which the mother replies: 'Yes , all those things seem bad all by themselves. But when they are put together in the right way, they make a wonderfully delicious cake!'

God works the same way. Many times we wonder why He would let us go through such bad and difficult times. But God knows that when He puts these things all in His order, they always work for good! We just have to trust Him and, eventually, they will all make something wonderful!

[knotholeone]

I am praying for you friend.

[andy158]

LeslieF don't feel bad. I am 48 yrs old and never dreamed I would ever be in a situation where bk was the only viable option. Wife and I both worked the day we were married always able to survive financially. Life changes, events happen and in one year our finances are totaled.Both our buisneses went south and it was hard meeting the basics. The credit cards were the stop gap. We both have full time jobs again are on the road to financial recovery. I just keep saying to myself and others "fifty years from now it just won't matter". If you don't make mistakes, you are not learning.