Christmas is an opportunity where we catch up with the older generation, exchanging a hug, a kiss and a nod for good measure. But what if this year we also asked some questions? What if we gleaned from their experience some important life lessons to take with us on our journey?
After the Christmas Lunch with all the trimmings, there’s a wealth of knowledge in living rooms up and down the country from which to plunder a treasure trove of wisdom. Why not be curious and ask a few questions?
Some might say that the world we live in no longer respects its elders like it should. Whenever the older generation is forgotten, a wealth of past knowledge and experience is discarded to pursue the ‘new stuff’.
History is a valuable teacher. What if we took a moment to dwell and a time to reflect, pausing our ‘instant culture’ to bring the rich life lessons and wisdom of their past into our present experiences?
Maturity isn’t only about the number of breaths we’ve taken and the heartbeats we’ve had, but also tapping into the wisdom from an older generation.
Mark Twain is reported to have said, “When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around. But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.” Indeed, realising that we don’t have all the answers, is a mark of maturity.
So, here’s 12 questions to ask those who have done some living!
1. What was it like around the dinner table when you were growing up?
2. What’s one memory that really stands out for you?
3. What did you spend too much time on, and too little time on?
4. Most people have had at least one person who really seemed to make a difference in their lives. Who was that person for you? What did you learn from them? What impact has this had on your life?
5. If you look at your life like an “ECG” or the “Stock Market,” there are probably some “ups” and some “downs.” What’s one of the ups for you?
6. What does that tell you about yourself?
7. What was one of the downs?
8. What got you through that?
9. If you could “roll the clock back” to before this incident took place what would you have done differently?
10. Let’s say you had a young person here, (providing, of course, they would listen to you) and they asked you what lessons life has taught you…what would you tell them?
11. What taught you that?
12. How would you define winning in life?
What did you learn? What insights did you gain to reinvest into a life to be lived on purpose?
Cherish those answers. Life teaches us much, but few take the time to give others a “good listening to” and even fewer write it down.
Our current – or our future – ‘retired’ selves often requires more money than we first think. But time is more important than money. We can always get more money, but we cannot get more time. Planning today creates the money to use the time we have well, for the experiences we want with those who matter most.
If you need a little help with framing your finances for a life on purpose, give us a call and let us know how you’d like your coffee.
In the meantime, have a very blessed Christmas from all at GL Integrity.
“Christmas is a day that holds all time together” – Alexander Smith.
Andrew Stinchcomb
Lead Navigator
Certified Financial Planner™ professional
Chartered Wealth Manager™
Investors should remember that the value of investments, and the income from them, can go down as well as up. This update has been produced for information purposes only and isn’t intended to constitute financial advice; investments referred to may not be suitable for everyone.
