"When the dog bites, when the bee stings, when I'm feeling sad, I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad." These lyrics sang by Julie Andrews in The Sound of Music came to me as I listened recently to a podcast called Happier with Gretchen Rubin. The podcast is about doing things that could bring you happiness. It's a favorite thing for me to do some days as I work to grow our firm or to help a client. Some would consider it corny and old-fashioned, but who cares? It makes me happy.
The podcast talked about documenting a favorite thing each day by writing it in a small notebook or entering it into your mobile device. It could be a song, author, restaurant, park, or person. It reminded me of a suggestion I give to our clients to write down a goal or an aspiration when it comes to mind. Don't wait, or the thought will pass by and may never return. I advise doing this since most of us have a difficult time answering "the question" asked by most financial planners: "What are your goals?" Believe me, I would hesitate if a planner asked me that question. Wouldn't you?
In an earlier blog, I wrote how photographs can create a movie. They capture a moment in time and when strung together give a view of what was and is important to us all. In the same way, documenting our favorite things over time gives us insight into what has made us happy. It can be helpful to remind us of these things that were important to us. They can lead to discovering goals or more importantly aspirations we have and can incorporate into our planning. Remember, aspirations are a strong desire to achieve a purpose. An aspiration may not be a specific goal but the journey toward achieving a goal or goals. As we live our lives, we build memories that we hope to be a part of our legacy.
Take time to record a favorite memory on paper or elsewhere. As you meander through your life, I trust you will treasure them more and more. I started this blog with lyrics, and I'll leave you with these words by Jim Croce:
"Photographs and memories
Christmas cards you sent to me
all that I have are these
to remember you
Memories that come at night
Take me to another time
Back to a happier day
When I called you mine"
Happy memories!
