On Reducing a Debt

One of the very worrisome things that hangs over our heads is a debt that is due – or overdue. Paradoxically, it is a worry if we do worry about debt, and it is another kind of worry if we don’t worry about debt. On this question, there are two extremes a person might take: One is living too much for the future – saving everything. The other is living too much “off” the future – living on income before it is earned. ( A still further extreme is to live off income that likely never will be earned – which means living off the efforts of others, something even placing a burden of debt on those yet unborn. Many people, through unforeseen uncertainties incur obligations which they don’t live to pay. But what about deliberately binding the unborn with a burden of debt? What about shifting debts to the shoulders of those who had no voice in accepting or consenting? This is a side of the subject that should always be considered – for a person who is in debt to the past and to the future, is deeply in debt.) So much for the question of binding the unborn. And now a moment on another side of the subject: It is sometimes necessary and desirable to obligate ourselves somewhat for the future. Most of us would never acquire homes or much of what makes them comfortable or convenient, except for the possibility of: paying as we go.” But the point at which debt would seem to become a matter of serious concern is not so much for the things we use as we pay, but the things we have used up before we pay. This makes us pa in the future for something that is already past – and the is discouraging. And now as to an attitude toward debt: So long as we are acknowledging it, and reducing it – or keeping current – there can be soundness and self-respect. But whenever we fail to feel an obligation for what we owe, or whenever we’re not paying it off (or never expect to pay it off), then there is a deterioration of something inside. The only way to get a load lifted is to begin to lift it. The only way to get a job done is to begin to do it. The only way to get a debt paid is to begin to pay it. To reduce a debt, we have to start to pay, or we will go deeper into debt.