One Poor Decision

According to a report by the Corporation for Enterprise Development, nearly half of Americans are one paycheck away from financial disaster. Many of us don’t have enough liquid assets to subsist for a few months in case of an emergency. http://scorecard.assetsandopportunity.org/2013/measure/liquid-asset-poverty-rate.

Even those of us who might have adequate financial savings are still vulnerable to poor choices. Living beyond one’s means, not being able to distinguish wants from needs, getting into debt, and making bad investments are all common practices. However, following the herd, in this case, can lead us to fall off the cliff.

Poor choices can lead to hazards in other areas of life as well. One bad decision to be unfaithful can crumble a marriage. One bad decision to drive home after a few drinks can ruin your life and that of others. One bad decision to have unprotected sex can have major consequences. One bad decision to ignore a health problem may result in serious complications. One bad decision to engage in potentially addicting habits like gambling, pornography, or drug use may turn into terminal bondage. One bad decision in choosing your spouse, your friends, or your business partner can change the trajectory of your life.

It takes a series of good choices to construct a good life, yet one poor choice can demolish years of careful building. One sneaky person can easily push you into an abyss, but it takes several caring individuals and much effort to pull you out. None of us are immune from making mistakes, but we can be more intentional—especially about decisions that have a long-term impact. Once we realize that we are all one bad decision away from a crisis, hopefully we shall be more alert and deliberate in our choices.