Phase IV: Mastery

Finally, after days trekking through bad terrain in bad weather, the Devoted Followers hiked the last mountain. At the summit, they fell panting to their knees at the mouth of the Great Teacher’s cave. The Learned Loner stuck his head out to see what was making that sick rattling noise.

The Followers cried out in gladness. “Master! We have traveled far to ask you our question!”

“Oh?” mumbled the Humble Hermit.

“O Wise One, how do we become wise?” they asked.

“Make good choices,” replied the Lined Luminary.

“How do we do that?!” they cried.

“Gain experience,” he replied.

“What do we do to gain experience?!” they moaned in bewilderment.

“Make bad choices.”

This annoying little tale sums things up. In place of “wise” (in the question, …how do we become wise?) substitute “solvent,” or better yet “masters,” and you’ve got a compass to guide you. There are no maps. Happy travels. It’s been a pleasure.

Dr. D: What?!!! That’s it?

Oracle at D: What more is there? Our readers are sick of this series. I’m sick of this series. Time to move on.

Dr. D: Not so fast Missy! You’re going to let being “sick of it” stop you from recapping?! "Sick of it" is a red flag for going off the rails!

Oracle at D: True, if you’re talking about resisting Living With The Budget. However, I’m not avoiding anything. I’ve completed this series. Therefore, your point doesn’t apply.

Dr. D: Yes it does!! We’ve stopped short!

Oracle at D: Listen. To. Me. Girlie. The Oracle tells stories. Makes jokes and poems. Has flashes of intuitive genius. Channels the vital energy of the universe. If She feels generous, She may point The Way, by waving Her hand in the general direction. Which She’s done, with the opening parable. Now it’s up to you (you too, Reader) to rub a couple neurons together studying it, till sparks fly. You want to recap, Dr. D? Write a how-to manual? Knock yourself out!

Dr. D: Is there a reason you’re talking about yourself in third person? In caps?

Oracle at D:

Dr. D: OK, OK. I get it. The Oracle does not explain. It’s up to me to explore the terrain and make my own map. That’s so hard!

Oracle at D: And your point is…?

Dr. D: It’s easy for masters! They have magic. Or talent. Or know the right people. Or something. Whatever.

Oracle at D: In your dreams.

Dr. D: Really?

Oracle at D: Masters are people who screw up, and struggle. For a purpose. Unlike most people, they always (well, not always, usually) do the spadework of a post mortem review. To learn something new, which leads them to try something new, in turn moving them forward to someplace new. Where they can screw up anew. Ad nauseum.

Dr. D: Oh! I see. It’s all about that Calvin Coolidge quote that got us through medical school:

Nothing in the world

can take the place of persistence.

Talent will not do it. Nothing is more common

than an unsuccessful man with talent.

Genius will not. Unrewarded genius is almost a proverb.

Education will not. The world is full of educated derelicts.

Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.

The slogan – “Press on.” - has solved, and will always solve,

the problems of the human race.

Readers, thanks for your patience. Here’s the recap.

Staying on budget (actually, staying with any grueling challenge, like, say, staying married; parenting; daily fruits, veggies and exercise) requires constant, mindful practice of the following cycle:

Make a mistake. (Brownie Bits)

Acknowledge you made a mistake. (The Hank Situation)

Do an eyes-wide-open post mortem. (The Hank Situation)

Learn. (The Smoke Bombs Incident)

Make another mistake. (Living With The Budget, Part I) Hopefully, a new one. But, if you make the same old mistake, so what? Repeating is part of the process. Acknowledge it. Do an eyes-wide-open post mortem. Learn. Repeat. You’ll move on. Eventually.

Persist. (The Smoke Bombs Incident) Despite set backs. Despite unwillingness. Despite ridicule. Despite making someone mad. Despite anything.

Everyone makes mistakes. Most people don’t learn from them. Certainly most don't change their ways. To get good at anything, all you have to do is work at it. Totally do-able.

Oracle at D: Truth. But boring.

Dr. D: I don’t miss the drama of being in debt! Mindful practice does have its nasty moments, but those are balanced by other pleasures.

Happy Birthday!

How long had we been living with The Budget? Two years? A few friends, Hubby and Son gave me a birthday party, with presents, cake and ice cream. (It’s never too late to have a happy childhood.)

When I opened the little box shaped like a clutch purse and saw the American Express gift card, the hairs on my arms stood up, tears washed my eyes and a thrill ran through me. Money!!!! Cash!!! Gravy!! That very day, I bought the teakettle I’d been wanting for months, but refused to buy off Budget. Every time it sings, I sing too. Windfalls are a joy when you’re on Budget.

Oracle at D: Is the good doctor not earnest? I’d have her shot. But then… I’d be dead too.

PHOTO CREDITS: pallas.celyn (Guru Mountain) and Will Clayton (Happy Birthday)

Coming sometime soon: Beyond Budgeting