I knew it was going to be a wonderful day because as I brought my toothbrush to my mouth, I smelled peanut butter. I had coated my toothbrush with the mini poodle Tilly’s toothpaste. Tilly does not like having her teeth brushed but she tolerates the process because her toothpaste tastes like peanut butter.
My sleepy gesture got me laughing. How centering it is to start the day laughing at my own foibles. I take my work seriously, my loved ones and many other things seriously, but I’ve got to be able to laugh at myself, with myself and keep things in perspective.
Since the Covid-19 lock-down in Boston mid-March, I have worked twelve-and fourteen-hour days, because my dear clients wanted words, not just reports with numbers.
What are the words they wanted to hear? They’re the words at the heart of financial planning. My work with those whom I am privileged to serve is about many unknowns and some facts. We have facts that detail the patterns of market downturns and recoveries. We know the history of all sorts of investments and what conditions nurture particular investments. Charts and graphs can support all sorts of hypotheses.
Words at the heart of good financial planning are words that allow us to talk about our fears and the unknowns. We don’t know how long we may live, or what level of robust health we might enjoy. We don’t know if our money will last or if some extraordinary event will wipe away a lifetime of building for the future. We don’t fully grasp how breathing the air between us as we laugh, and chant can kill us. That sort of worry and social distancing violate our sense of being friends and neighbors.
Words allow the pain to take shape and get out, so it can be put in perspective, even if it cannot be removed. Words no matter how stuttering and inadequate can strengthen us. Like my modest toothpaste story, words can center us and focus us on what really matters. Whenever we are aligned with what is crucial in our lives, we can push aside the distractions and be open to the humble wonders around us. May we each experience many such restorative times.
All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. This is a hypothetical example and is not representative of any specific situation. Your results will vary. The hypothetical rates of return used do not reflect the deduction of fees and charges inherent to investing.
Penelope S. Tzougros, PhD, ChFC, CLU. Financial Planner, Author, National Speaker. Wealthy Choices.com. 51 Sawyer Road, Suite 340, Waltham, MA 02453. Direct to Penelope 781 577 2311.
Penelope@wealthychoices.com. Fax 781 893 3565. In all 50 states, Penelope S. Tzougros is registered with, and securities and advisory services are offered through, LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. She is affiliated with Bay Financial Associates, LLC. Financial Planning is offered through Wealthy Choices® and Bay Financial Advisors, Inc. Both are registered investment advisors. Neither is a broker-dealer nor affiliated with LPL Financial.