Vincent R Orlando

Once again, I turned to Google and performed a search on:  “the seven deadly sins: pride.”  If you would like to read a complete study on pride from the “New World Encyclopedia,” click on this link: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Seven_Deadly_Sins.  However, the purpose of this blog entry is not to educate you on the technical subject of “pride” or even the Christian punishment for committing this capital or mortal sin.  Instead, I am writing this to inform you on how damaging “pride” can be in regards to your attempts to unlock your potential.

As I stated previously, I decided to clean my financial mess by claiming bankruptcy a few years ago.  This is not (in no way, shape, or form) a sin.  Here are a couple of quotes taken directly from U.S. Supreme Court cases: 1)  “It is the purpose of the bankrupt act…to relieve the honest debtor from the weight of oppressive indebtedness, and permit him to start afresh free from the obligations and responsibilities consequent upon business misfortunes.” U.S. Supreme Court (Year 1915 – the oldest one I could find).  And 2) “One of the primary purposes of the Bankruptcy Act is to ‘relieve the honest debtor from the weight of oppressive indebtedness, and permit him to start a fresh free from the obligations and responsibilities consequent upon business misfortunes’. This purpose of the act has been again and again emphasized by the courts as being of public as well as private interest, in that it gives to the honest but unfortunate debtor…, a new opportunity in life and a clear field for future effort, unhampered by the pressure and discouragement of pre-existing debt.” (Year 1934 – the one that, in my opinion, is best stated and most complete).

My sin of pride was more in the form of not seeking assistance before inflicting all this damage upon myself.  I made multiple attempts at salvaging my real estate investments, sinking good money after bad.  I accomplished this task by: pulling money out of my retirement account (paying early withdrawal penalty after penalty); and using my personal residence to finance my deals.  I was adamant about not asking for help from anyone.  I thought I knew what was best.  I consider myself to be very independent and can get myself out of any fix that I got myself into.  Boy was I a jerk!

Nevertheless, I did learn a valuable lesson.  “Never let PRIDE get in the way.  ASK FOR ASSISTANCE!”  I could have prolonged my torture by using “other people’s money” to get the creditors off my backside.  This would have been a sin because there was no way to save the properties from foreclosure unless I could borrow enough to satisfy the current loans from someone who didn’t mind waiting for the market to turn.  I also could have gone to people with more experience in real estate investments – especially wise if I performed this task before I jumped in with both feet.  Finally, I should have done my homework and carried out a more extensive form of “due diligence.”

Still, there is hope for me.  As I said, I gained a powerful insight into the world of real estate investing and (more importantly) the relief of financial distress.  If there is any one thing that I can convey is that a person will agonize over a decision yet, once a decision is made, the weight of the world will be removed.  Many people have triumphantly achieved a “Divine Do-Over” and turned what once was defined as a tragedy into a “miracle” of success.  (How many times has Donald Trump claimed bankruptcy?)  I can honestly say that I have turned the corner and am moving in a forward direction.  There is a light at the end of the tunnel.  And NO, it is not a train.  Build your “persistent” muscle and never-ever give up.  If you would like to benefit from my experience – contact me.  Remember my favorite Eleanor Roosevelt quote: “Learn from other’s mistakes.  You will never live long enough to make them all yourself.”

Be Blessed!

If you would like a comprehensive report on “How to Build a Strong Financial Foundation,” go to my webpage: http://VincentROrlando.com and input your name and email address.  You will receive an email containing a downloadable link.  I network my blog entries via a free software package: NetworkedBlogs (http://networkedblogs.com/ ) with my Facebook page: www.facebook.com/vrorlando (add me as a “Friend”) and share them on my FanPage: www.facebook.com/DivineDoOver (“Like” me). 

I often Google: “Define: (a word)” and search for a result that meets my needs.  Typically, I find what I need from the Merriam-Webster dictionary.  This time was no exception.  Click:  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/finance if you would like to see the result for the word “finance.”

Financial health is an achievable goal.  It is not the key to happiness.  The key is abundance in all the Five Dimensions of Life – All my blog entries over the past 5-days.  Having monetary “wealth” alone does not insure that you will “Be Blessed” with all the joys that life has to offer.  There are many wealthy people who have poor relationships.  In spite of their money, some are overweight and undernourished.  Their thoughts are chaotic and/or fixed on obtaining more money.  Spirits are emotionally broken.  So please, don’t kid yourself in believing that if you only had more money you would be happy.

By no fault of their own, people pass on many falsehoods in the topic of finance.  I was taught to go to school and get a good education (good grades).  Go to college and find out what you want to be when you grow up.  Get a job! – That pays well and has a good benefits package.  Fall in love, get married, buy a house, have kids (give me grandchildren), etc, etc, etc…  All for the sense of feeling secure.  Low risk endeavors (except the “fall in love” and “have kids” part) with limited reward (same exceptions).  These might be all the things that you need to do to be satisfied.  Then again, your pleasure might lean towards being: self-employed; single (until you had enough of the smorgasbord); homeless so you can travel the world, etc, etc, etc…  This is not a “one size fits all” lifestyle.  Financial freedom allows you to choose.  And, the choices are infinite.

Obviously, financial health is important.  Shakespeare wrote: “neither a borrower nor a lender be…”  Does that make financial institutions or private money lenders evil?  Money is not the root of all evil (click: http://VincentROrlando.com/?p=428 for a refresher).  Industries give incentives to contributing to a company’s 401k plan.  They want you to invest the maximum amount yet they only match a portion.  Who really benefits?  (Answer: it all depends on your individual circumstances).  Financial Planners/Analyst wants you to invest in things like mutual funds or variable annuities.  Can you get a higher rate of return in other ventures?  In other words, your finances are the one area that needs considerable scrutiny.  I highly suggest reading: “Killing the Sacred Cow” by Garrett Gunderson (search for it by using the Amazon link on my website) or participating in a “Crown Ministries” or similar type course.  (Contact me if you would like me to teach – I am a certified Crown Ministries instructor.)

Whenever talking about the subject of “finances” (especially yours) remember that age old adage:  Trust But Verify!  What is in it for the person you are talking to?  When investing in stocks, by all means – read the prospectus AND ask questions of the agent.  There is an age old rule that is very simple (one word) – DIVERSIFY.  Don’t put all your eggs in one basket (again – DIVERSIFY).  “Want to be a Millionaire?”  Use your Lifeline(s).

Be Blessed!