2)What instruments are you using?

Brian, you sound like the Music Man in the musical teaching kids how to play instruments he sold as a con man who knew nothing about teaching music, he called his method the "Think System" if you think you can, you can, but with a little help they did get to 76 Trombones in their parade.

@Chris SukalaYou could roll it into a self-directed retirement instrument, and use it for some kinds of real estate investing.This avoids the tax hit, and it lets you do something with the money.There are a lot of rules about the ways you can invest, but it's totally viable as a retirement investment tool.

Per IRS rules, any debt instrument must be non-recourse. 

All it does is tie its hands.If this is a situation with a new money junior lien requesting a foreclosure forbearance in advance, this might cause the senior concern that the borrower is becoming unstable and the senior might look to exercise a due on sale or encumbrance clause in its security instrument.

However, the taxes are a little steep.If one is tapped out, use this opportunity to do something one loves such as learning how to play an instrument, and/or get in shape.

I'm ready to be CURED of the disease.I currently work as an insurance agent and a minister of music at a local church.

I've done REFIs and 1031 exchanges, and now my instrument is Recasting which I see as a valuable mechanism that positions me in a healthy place to build my portfolio faster while following a strategy I'm comfortable with. 

It has been so instrumental in our investing journey, and in my growth as a real estate agent.

I can't say strongly enough how instrumental BiggerPockets has been in making this a reality.