photo by steed media service

There is an entrance fee for everything. Each day you should think about the down payment that is required for participating in life. Financial strategists and brilliant thinkers long ago decided that there must be some type of commitment required in order to participate in the acquisition of an asset; i.e., in other words, nothing in life is free. There are costs associated with living a wonderful, fulfilled life. There’s a down payment that must be paid. One must make a down payment in order to establish and maintain any human connection, especially familial ties.

When a friendship — or any relationship — is built on a deposit of love, the troubled waters that are sure to come will not cause an irreparable rift. But that implies the proper down payment has been made. When an insufficient down payment has been made, it doesn’t take much of a wind to dismantle the foundation when bad weather comes. The relationship will dissipate like a puff of smoke.

We have to acknowledge the down payments made by individuals who support our lives — our parents, friends, counselors, teachers and co-workers. We need to recognize and acknowledge their down payment and the bond that it forges. They applaud our accomplishments. They offer words of encouragement. They invest in us by selflessly devoting their time and energy to our needs. They teach us how to live by example. If we have a measure of success, if we are leading a useful life, it is because someone cared enough about us to make a down payment in our future.

You deserve to be respected. You deserve to be treated with dignity. Don’t waste your time on people who fail to invest in you. Don’t allow yourself to be taken for granted. It is not mercenary to expect an emotional, mental and spiritual down payment from those who wish to be a part of your life. By the same token, you must return the investment with interest at the appointed time. Remember, nobody on this journey called life gets a free ride.

Peace.

Munson Steed
Publisher
pubpage@rollingout.com

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