Low Mileage Tires and High Anxiety

So, I don't think I could ever run a ponzi scheme. I just don't have the stomach for it.

I got a flat tire after hitting a GINORMOUS pothole on my way home on Monday. Considering it was my second one in ten days and knowing that I needed to get a new set soon anyway, I went ahead and took the plunge.

I like to consider myself pretty laid back and able to roll with the punches, but the reality of spending that amount of money living on a seriously reduced income took all the energy out of me. I was so worried about my ability to make it through the end of June on my current income (to any worried readers I will be able to do, so no need to send donations) that I lost all ability to do much of anything. I graded a couple of papers, holed myself in my room, ate some gourmet eggs that Erin cooked for me, listened to her sermon on trust, and then went to sleep.

I also realized, in my afternoon of nothingness, how lucky I am. Although I have been through quite a bit of things over the last couple months, I also have friends and family who helped me out and would continue to do so if I asked.

I am not sure how people who have to live paycheck to paycheck do it. The increased stress level and heightened anxiety of living this way for five months has given me a great appreciation for the chronically poor and the more than 5 million Americans who have lost their job in this financial meltdown.

While we often speak about the burden of making ends meet without adequate resources, the psychological burden often goes unnoticed. Anxiety and stress make it harder to work, harder to keep up the struggle against all the forces of depression.

I'm very thankful to have a job, thankful that this paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle will end soon, and wanting to pray for all those folks who don't have the same luxury.