Sunrise or Sunset?
Sometimes, when I look at a beautiful image like the one above, I'm not sure if I am enjoying a sunrise or a sunset. Unless we know the location or a caption tells us, we can often perceive it either way.
Once we realize we are seeing a sunrise, certain thoughts may come to mind about a new day or new beginnings. Whereas if we discover we are enjoying a sunset, we may think about all that has passed, or accomplished or, maybe, what we missed.
This teaches us that the way we perceive life is deeply impacted by whether we think we are at the beginning, or the end of something. Consider this within the context of your career, an important relationship, or a new opportunity.
These same thoughts are also true with personal finance. We have to deeply consider our life and how we want to live it. Only then can we properly prioritize our spending, saving, and investing.
To help shape your thoughts about the life you want to live, the following three questions will provide some focus to your dreams and plans.
Question 1
Imagine you are fully financially secure. You have enough money to completely take care of your needs, now and in the future.
Question: How would you live your life?
Would you change anything? Resist the temptation to limit your response.
Describe a life that is complete, that is fully, richly yours.
Question 2
Imagine you are told you only have 5 - 10 years left to live. The good news is you will not feel sick or have any symptoms. The bad news is you will have no notice of the moment of your passing.
Question: What will you do with the time you have left to live?
What are your first thoughts? Will you change your life? How so?
Question 3
Imagine now that you only have one day left to live. Notice what feelings arise as you confront your very real mortality.
Question: What did you you miss?
What would you have done differently? Who did you not get to be? What did you not get to do?
Thoughts and Reflections
These questions are penetrating and deeply personal. They are equally revealing and crystallizing of those things that are of greatest importance to you.
The purpose of the first question is to remove the financial limitations we often place on ourselves, our dreams, and our goals. As a financial advisor, I have come to learn that finances are often wrongfully blamed for why we cannot do something. Financially, it's rarely a question of "if", but one of "how."
The purpose of the second question is to grab your attention and prompt focus on what you would do with an opportunity (5 - 10 years) to make changes. Compare your current priorities with the thoughts the question generates.
The purpose of the third question is to bring laser-like focus to what you are doing with your life. William Penn is quoted as saying, "Time is what we want most, but what we use worst." Learn from this and consider the thoughts that came to mind as you read the question.
Do these questions confirm how you are living your life and handling your finances? Or did the questions prompt a desire for change? Either way, let us talk about the questions and your reflections. Let us ensure that your life plans and your financial plan are synchronized. Simply make an appointment, and we will begin the process of anticipating, planning, and preparing.
P.S. The opening photo is a sunrise as seen from the top of Cadillac Mountain, ANP.
Laissez les bons temps rouler
The questions above were inspired heavily by similar thoughts developed by George Kinder of the Kinder Institute of Life Planning. You can learn more about the institute HERE.
Mary's Recipe Corner
Layered Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie
Wild blueberries and Maine are synonymous. It is the state berry and can be found on nearly every restaurant menu during New England summers. Bill's Dad loves blueberries, so I have made blueberry pie for him several times over the years. I have tried several iterations, but this is my favorite, so far. It is a great way to use some of those wonderful summer berries.
Crust:
• 1 Graham cracker crust, baked and cooled
Bottom layer:
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 cup whipping cream, whipped
Top layer:
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup cornstarch
• 1/2 water
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 3 cups blueberries
• Lemon zest to taste
Bottom layer:
Beat cream cheese with powdered sugar. Gently fold in whipping cream. Spread on crust. Refrigerate while making the blueberry layer.
Top layer:
In a saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch, water, and lemon juice. Stir in blueberries. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, while stirring, until thickened. Cool. Add lemon zest. Spread over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
Bon appétit!
For Art's Sake
As some of you may know, I am an art enthusiast. If you grow up in New Orleans you learn to appreciate art (and food and music and parades, etc.), so it seems appropriate to share a bit of our culture with our readers.
The designer/visual artist J. Saint-Claire has amassed a breathtaking and diverse portfolio from his many travels to nearly 50 countries. He has assembled various artistic works spanning architecture, graphic design, and fashion. His on-going photo-wisdom project on Instagram artfully combines stunning images with insightful prose.
The photo below represents, "structured elements (plans) contrasted against chaos (life) with the colorful sky representing the hopes that fall somewhere in between."
