David’s closing words ignited more peace and hope than I could have imagined!
There were just about five minutes left in my online interview with Mortgage Agent, David Imler. I was live streaming the show and David’s image froze. Since we had already covered the strategies I’d promised viewers by this point, I decided it would be a good time to end the episode.
Little did I know the best was yet to come . . .
This episode focused on helping people to reduce their financial stress during the pandemic. To close the show, I asked one final question:
“If somebody was sitting at home, they’re not sleeping, and they’re stressed thinking, Oh no, my credit cards are too high, I don’t know about paying my mortgage—what would your number one suggestion be?”
David Imler replied:
“My number one suggestion would be two-fold.
1. We can’t dwell on what we can’t control. We are where we are.
I think a lot of times we can derive self-worth from net worth (or negative net worth.) Then, we compare ourselves to where we think others are at. I’ve never found that stable ground to stand on when you’re anxious about where you are or where you aren’t compared to others or compared to where you wish you were.
2. You only have power to act, right here, where you are.”
When David first heard the news about COVID-19 spreading rapidly around the world, his anxiety spiked. Being in the finance world and dealing with people’s incomes and financial situations all day long, he had a deep understanding of the potential ramifications of this current crisis. He was concerned for his own situation and for what this was going to mean for others.
His understanding came from personal experience.
David explained that in the past he had “lost it all.”
At the bottom of that experience years ago, when he wasn’t sure how he and his family would be able to get back on their feet, his wife Christine said, “Dave, we’ve got everything money can’t buy.”
That past experience taught David to be content in the moment. During the interview he said,
“You can be content in the moment; and, rest in, I’m not the money in the bank. I’m not what I owe. I am a person who is capable of being kind, capable of loving, capable of breathing, and contributing today.”
When his stress about this crisis spiked, one of the teachings of Jesus came to his mind:
“Don’t worry about tomorrow. It will take care of itself. Just live today.”
What does it mean to just live today when you’re faced with financial worries? David says,
“I’m not going to forget about all of my obligations. I’m going to communicate with creditors and let them know I can’t make this payment right now and I need a deferral. I’m going to do things that way.
But, I’m not going to worry today. I’m not going to worry about the money or what I might lose in the stock market, or what I might lose in my house. All of these things.
I’m just going to focus right here, today. Be kind to myself and to others. I’m going to love and focus on giving to others.”
The bottom line is, take action to control the controllable:
- Be kind to yourself and others
- Look for opportunities to help others
- Communicate with the people you owe money to that you’re in a jam, you want to pay, but, you need a deferral
- Seek counsel. Tell someone you trust what you’re going through; it will do your soul a world of good.
Then let go of those things which are beyond your control. If you still have your breath, if you still have your strength, if you still have your ability to learn, love, and grow, you have things that money cannot buy. Live for today and have faith that tomorrow will take care of itself.
All my best,
Denise Marek
P.S. If you’ve been feeling depressed or a little down—or know someone who is feeling that way—make sure to pre-register now for our next episode of CALM Online.
Doug Schneider will be back for a conversation on:
What Do You See? How Our Vision Effects Our Mood
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 – 7:00 PM (EST)
P.S.S. To watch the previous episode with guest expert David Imler on Financial Stress in the Pandemic: Easing the Burden, or to share it with others, here is the link to the recording.