{"id":1157,"date":"2014-11-26T16:34:25","date_gmt":"2014-11-26T16:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/vhfinancialmanagement.com\/?p=1157"},"modified":"2014-11-26T16:34:25","modified_gmt":"2014-11-26T16:34:25","slug":"being-thankful-2014","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vhfinancialmanagement.com\/2014\/11\/26\/being-thankful-2014","title":{"rendered":"Being Thankful 2014"},"content":{"rendered":"
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As many of you know, I write a Thanksgiving blog every year that focuses on being thankful.\u00a0 A couple days ago I went back and reread several of my past Thanksgiving blogs and was a bit shocked by what I found.\u00a0 Other than the occasional typo, I found I had plenty of ammo to point me in the direction of thankfulness.\u00a0 I found a common theme: conflict.<\/p>\n

Last year at this time we (our society) were involved in a continued debate regarding the behavior of celebrities and professional athletes. The year prior we just wrapped up an election filled with discourse and division.\u00a0 Three years ago we were facing the fiscal cliff. And this year we are dealing with riots in Ferguson Missouri and across the country.<\/p>\n

While we need not turn our backs to the difficulties of life, it seems our greater electronic connectivity makes it easier and easier to find ourselves surrounded by struggles, whether they are ours or not.\u00a0 It\u2019s easy to simply let our blessings slip by. \u00a0If we surround ourselves with enough negative thought and negative self talk, it will catch on and deeply set hold.<\/p>\n

As a fee-only financial advisor, I often find myself discussing topics outside the \u201cnormal\u201d lines traditional advisors tackle.\u00a0 It\u2019s a part of my work that I really enjoy. Understanding the values and goals of my clients helps me to help them create a balanced approach to financial growth.\u00a0 It\u2019s not just simply about the numbers.<\/p>\n

A client recently relayed a thought that hit the nail on the head. To summarize, she stated, you can chose to view your life from a perspective of \u201cquality of life\u201d or \u201cquality of living.\u201d Quality of life is based around the measure of \u201cthings\u201d you own, and quality of living focuses on what you do with what you have.<\/p>\n

If we focus on all the information put in front of us, we can easily fall into a trap.\u00a0 We are bombarded this time of year with product advertising, and keeping up with the Jones is a dangerous game. The neighbors just bought that shiny new car: why can\u2019t we? There is always someone out there who will have more \u201cthings\u201d or more money, but is that the measuring stick in which you chose to value your true happiness?<\/p>\n

As we move into the holiday season, I send out a challenge to you. Ask yourself what guidepost you are using to measure your financial wellbeing and overall happiness. Again, in my client\u2019s words, is it \u201cquantitative\u201d or is it \u201cqualitative\u201d?<\/p>\n

As another year soon comes to an end, I am once again thankful for so many blessings. My clients continue to teach me and help me to grow, as we face unique challenges together. \u00a0I work everyday to help others, which brings me great joy.<\/p>\n

So, if you are reading this, I am thankful for you. \u00a0I am thankful for the opportunity to share my passion with you.<\/p>\n

I hope this Thanksgiving finds you well and \u201cfat\u201d with happiness!<\/p>\n

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