As we approach the end of yet another year, I like to take some time to reflect on the past year to appreciate all the experiences I have had. Although we share a planet, we all live in our own worlds and as human beings we all experience both pain and pleasure. Our experiences never seem to be a nice balance however. Some years we are given more pain than we think we can endure, and other years we pinch ourselves for all the good fortune we have.
Our job, as your financial advisors is to guide you to a better place financially, and to put contingency plans in place for when the pain arrives. There are so many things we can’t control – illness, death of a family member, children encountering all kinds of problems or making bad decisions, job loss. However, as in most things in life, the one thing we can control is our response to these challenges.
I have been honoured to help so many people and their families both prepare for and respond to life’s challenges. For many clients I feel almost like one of the family. When faced with the worst things life can throw at us, our minds tend to shut down as a self-defense mechanism. It is a time of vulnerability, and it is a time that you need people you trust to help you make the right decisions. The wrong decisions can end in more crises, rather than a return to stasis.
I have found that most people love to help others, given the chance. I know I do and it is the most satisfying part of my work. So as we end 2014, Amanda and I thank those who have allowed us into their lives. We look forward to supporting and guiding you, and those you refer to us, in 2015 and beyond.