What does Thanksgiving mean to you? Well, for me it’s time with family and friends…..and lots of great food! I love this time of year.
But, I am constantly amazed at the level of negativity in which we live. We are constantly bombarded with negative images and ideas. We just spent the last six months or so being told to vote one way because the other way was bad, wrong, or in some cases idiotic. Turn on the news and see how much you can take….for me, not much. I don’t subscribe to the media’s mantra, “if it bleeds it leads!”
What does this have to do with financial planning? Well, in some ways nothing….in other ways a great deal. A good portion of my job as a fee-only financial advisor is helping folks handle the emotional baggage associated with money (rich or poor). Some find satisfaction in what they have and others may never reach a level of satisfaction. It’s all how you look at it.
How do you stack up? Sure, there are others who are doing better than you, and I’m sure there are others for which you have more. Sometimes we get so caught up in the rat race that we forget to slow down enough to enjoy what we have.
No matter where you fall on the financial success chart, it never hurts to step back and be thankful for what you do have. We are certainly fortunate to live in a great country in a very exciting time. Forget the Fiscal Cliff for a minute. Think of the luxuries we are afforded that our grandparents never experienced.
The attitude in which we chose to live life can have an impact on our success or failure, so sometimes simply changing an attitude can lead us on a positive path.
So, as we move into the Holiday season, the question I send to you to ponder is: To be (thankful) or not to be?
