The World Is Filled With Roadblocks…and With Roads

When I drove home from work recently the road I normally take was closed for repairs.  I took a detour that added about 30 seconds to my drive.

The world is filled with literal roadblocks where there is no option but to find an alternate route.  But sometimes life’s metaphorical roadblocks — psychological or financial — can be more subtle, and more challenging.

Years ago I read an article in the Wall Street Journal describing the ten most important rules of money.  The author’s first rule was:  “Don’t run out of money.”  His last rule was also, “Don’t run out of money.”  The other eight rules, he said, were not nearly as important.

To avoid breaking the first and last rule of money, different people might use different routes.  Diana, a friend of mine, kept a list of all her regular monthly expenses such as food and housing, and a second list of all her extraordinary expenses such as a down payment on a house or a long vacation.  She explained to me, “I collect everything due to me on time, and I pay all of my bills on time.  I also keep enough money in an emergency fund to cover unpredictable expenses.”  In this way she was able to navigate around unforeseen financial roadblocks.

Psychological roadblocks can also be a challenge to predict, plan for, and overcome.

My mother hated to drive.  She was eager for me to get my own driver’s license so that I could be her chauffeur.  I liked to drive, and was delighted to help out. Otherwise, I faced roadblock of my own – parental permission to use the car. Running errands for my mother was a way around both of our problems. I would often ask, “Do you need anything from the store, Mom?” I was happy to be the solution to my mother’s psychological roadblock because it helped me overcome my own financial ones (not having a car or money for gas).

The COVID-19 pandemic has now stretched out for more than a year, and has created a number of roadblocks for everyone.  We’ve adapted our lives to allow for social distancing. At last, many grandparents have been vaccinated and can resume the simple pleasure of hugging their grandchildren.

Soon we might be able to travel and gather with friends and family again without fear of spreading a deadly illness.

We know that our world is filled with unpredictable roadblocks.

Fortunately, it is also filled with many roads as well as alternate routes, some that might be even more scenic than the route we had originally planned.

Alan