Lecture – Life is Like Taxes

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I got the privilege of speaking to groups of students at a local high school today. My topic was on Taxes since I am a CPA and many high school students know very little on the subject – except they know that people pay taxes and don’t like it. I worked last night on my PowerPoint presentation with snazzy images, funny quotes and the boring tax forms. I thought I was going to talk only on taxes, but God had another thing in mind. It seemed like suddenly God opened my eyes this morning on how taxes is very similar to living life.

You can replace the words “taxes” or “paying taxes” with “life” pretty easily.

It’s all about perspective. If you mess up on your taxes, it is fixable. Taxes is not a life or death problem. You may have underpaid, but it’s not the end of the world. It may be hard paying off that tax debt, but you can do it. You can learn from your mistake and start withholding more taxes so you don’t make the same mistake again. You may think tax returns are hard and confusing, but we are in the same boat here. Everyone has to pay taxes. If you have questions about taxes, ask for help. Seek out help from people you trust and want the best for you. I bet they will do anything to help you. Once again, if you mess up, it is fixable. Do your taxes ethically. The IRS will find you if you lie on your return. Once again, if you mess up, it’s fixable. If you have the perspective the government is going to gouge you, you cannot see all the good that taxes do. They give us schools, parks, roads, and a bright future. If you realize that if you pay taxes that means God blessed you with earning an income – an income that many people throughout this world cannot earn. I am no better than anyone else because I can do a tax return. We all need each other. This life is all about relationships, just like taxes.

Just like in life, there are only a few things that are life and death decisions. Yes, bad decisions lead to repercussions and a hard climb, but you can get through it with hard work and determination. If you think you can do something, go for it. You are the only person who can stop you from achieving your dreams. Don’t listen to bad advice. Find a group of people who will mentor you, encourage you and do anything to help you in life. It may hurt when they correct you, but if they say it in love, they are trying to help you. Once again, if you mess up in life it’s usually fixable. You may have bombed a test, but it’s not the end of the world. Pick yourself up, study harder and you will get through it. The mountains in our way are only molehills when we look back in our memories. You can do it. It’s all about perspective. If you wake up thinking today is going to be a bad day, it will be. But if you wake up thinking it’s going to be a good day, there is a good possibility that it will turn out to be a good day!

So thank you Webster County High School for allowing me to come today. As I was teaching you, I was also teaching myself. Life is like taxes. It’s not always great paying taxes just as life can be hard, but life is so good. Just as the benefits we receive from paying taxes. So, go find a park and enjoy the beauty of your tax dollars and realize you are blessed. Blessed beyond your own understanding.

Once again – It’s all about perspective and it’s usually fixable.

Strange how similar life and taxes actually are.

Peace