In self-portraits, the artist looks at herself and sees her own beauty. She says she is worth painting. Filing for bankruptcy seems like the end of a book, but in accepting failure, do not reinforce old failures by doing things the same way. Take advantage of programs to save. Work more than one job to stay away from unproductive activities like depression.
Bankruptcy, though a serious situation, is a small thing compared to the rest of life. Do not let a small thing limit or intimidate. In bankruptcy, the petitioner has to declare all his assets and debts for the public to view. This may seem like giving part of the soul for people to judge. This may take away the fairy tale ending of growing up to own a house, have a family with two kids and a dog, and working a long term career. But, it is not that the story is not true. Like it is not that there is no Santa Claus, but a person can become Santa Clause by making the magic for himself.
Bankruptcy may seem like a fearful process, but fear is just false evidence appearing real. There are many people who go through bankruptcy and come out happy. Use optimism to choose happiness, rather than think it is something to accomplish. John Barefoot of Duke University reported in the May 1998 issue of Brain/Mind Bulletin: People with increased levels of suspiciousness, cynicism and hostility died sooner than all others.
Think that your hopes have been too high and that you have failed to reach them? Engage an experienced bankruptcy attorney to see that the actual is limited, the possible immense.
