How you handle yourself amid this crisis speaks volumes
A trip to Italy was always part of my retirement plan. When I finally put in the time, my wife and I would take a year to get our financial world in order and then head to Europe for at least a few weeks. That plan is on the back burner now because of the coronavirus and may be for a considerable time. It doesn’t seem very wise to travel as the world has been impacted by so many changes. But I refuse to lament about a lack of tourism while the actual citizens of these beautiful countries are dying every day. I have no right to complain.
In fact, I find myself re-evaluating the importance of many things and what that implies.
A New Focus
Will this situation cause a new focus on the “NOW,” with many youth unconcerned about elements in the future, like:
- Home ownership
- Investment plans
- Big families
- New cars and appliances
- Marriage
- Employment
- Unemployment.
The ethical creed I was raised on was a combination of theories from parents, coaches, teachers, and grandparents, who lamented the wise benefits of saving for better things; depriving oneself in the moment so one could count on the magic of a “one day soon” payoff. Therefore, to become a man who provides, I had to be a stand-up guy who was always willing to deprive himself. Former Chicago Bears running back Gale Sayers co-wrote his autobiography (with Al Silverman) entitled I Am Third. He said, “My Lord and Savior comes first, my family and friends are second, and I am third.”
