Investing

In college, I had a fender bender that crumbled the hood of my car. The wreck ruined the look of my car, but it still worked fine.

So I had a choice. For 500 dollars, I could fix the damage. Or, I could save the money and just drive the car as it was.

Wanting to save money and guard my investments, I chose to drive the car wrecked.

But something strange happened.

Even though I never spent the $500, I lost a great deal more. I lost the whole car.

You see, in saving the $500 and driving the now dilapidated, half car, I came to detest the whole car. My car embarrassed me. I apologized for it often. The car I once appreciated and maintained had now become an eyesore and a source of shame. With little TLC from me, it only lasted a few more years.

So I saved $500 and lost the whole car.

Here’s the lesson I’ve learned over the years:

You will begin to hate what you do not invest in.

You will despise the yard you do not landscape. You will regret the office you did not decorate. You will dread the people you never opened up to, never poured in to. Etc.

You must invest to experience love and joy.

Of course, investing means risking something. You may regret or lose some investments. Some investments will backfire or never pan out. BUT, you will regret 100% of the investments you never make.

You must invest.