Let’s Be Grateful

As I’ve been reflecting the past few days, I wanted to share two of my team’s personal experiences as we navigate these unchartered waters.

I was sitting with a small group of people. One person shared her frustration with her children. She was suddenly forced to homeschool and it had proved to be very challenging. As she talked, another woman in the group started crying. She was employed by an “essential business” and couldn’t be home with her kids – all she wanted was to be with her kids. Meanwhile, another member of the group started to become angry. She was frustrated listening to this “complaining”. She then shared she had just been laid off and felt as though the mom who wanted to be home with her children was ungrateful – at least she HAD a job.

In that moment I was reminded of a couple things: Be GRATEFUL…that might mean you’re grateful that you get to spend some extra time with your kids, or that you still have a job, or that you remain healthy. Whatever it is, remember to be grateful. We each have much to be thankful for.

On the flip side let’s put ourselves in our neighbor’s shoes, take a moment to think about where they might be coming from before we complain about being home with our kids or having to work. Are they not able? Have they been laid off? Let’s learn the balance of being grateful and being sensitive.

One idea that Jenn heard, which she has implemented with her children, is to plant seeds of hope – what are you going to do when this physical distancing is over? She gave her kids an assignment to pick a state, any state. Next, plan a vacation to that state – figure out how much it’s going to cost, how we’re going to get around (bus, tram, uber), what do we want to see in that state and prepare me a proposal. One chose Hawaii and the other Alaska; they’ve spent days researching airfare and places to visit. They’ve asked if they could plan trips to other states as well. She said they can plan as many trips as they please and maybe at the end of this mess she’ll surprise them with an actual vacation using one of their proposals.

This lesson has covered geography, math, writing, researching, etc. But MOST importantly, it has given them hope…hope that this will come to an end and we will be able to return to life. We’ll have a new normal I’m sure, but we will return to living again.

As we all seem to have more time at home, you may be doing some spring cleaning. If so, clean out your file cabinets, other office areas, and your kids school backpacks. Bring all that paper to us on April 25^th. We’ll have a shred truck from Vital Records Control on-site. See the enclosed flyer for details. Let your friends and neighbors know as well – as physical distancing drags out; we may need some additional motivation to keep up our spring cleaning. Maybe create a challenge with your friends to see who can fill the most shred boxes.

We have been informed that this event, at this time, is still acceptable. It will be much like curbside restaurant service; you won’t even have to get out of your car if you don’t want to. We can take your boxes and put them in the truck for you.

Head to 2ndHalfWealth.com/Shred-Day to register the number of boxes or bags you think you’ll be bringing. Also, we will have some fun giveaways!

So here’s our to do list as we talk to clients:

If we can help you with any of the list above, or you have a 5^th to add, or your own story to share – call me!