Merry Christmas!
My father in law, Papa to my children, once stated that I would appreciate life the older I got and that, unlike all of the goals and objectives and milestones that I had achieved, the most important things I would cherish would be the simplest things.
During these holidays I am reminded that of all the things I cherish I value four things more than anything.
Time, Friends, Family, and …..
Time, because, regardless of how much you think there is, you need to cherish every moment. Ask anyone who has lost a parent, a spouse, or a child. Time is more important than you can imagine.
Friends, because, unlike family, these are people who have come into your life and made such a difference, that unlike most of the people you meet, these individuals have meant so much to you that you value your memories and the time you were able to spend with them, both in the past and planning to do so again in the future. The whole premise of my favorite Christmas show, It’s a Wonderful Life, is based on this value.
Family. These are usually the people you love the most and can’t wait to spend some of that time with them. Your spouse, your kids, your grandchildren, your siblings, your in-laws. If you want to make a huge difference to any of these two categories, Friends or Family, take a moment and send them a personal text, e-mail, card, or better yet, pick up the phone and call them. That will be the best present you could give, letting them know you were thinking of them.
Faith. I believe that each life makes a difference to each of us. Perhaps that’s why some have greater impact than others, and some less. The importance of each life, all lives and every life changes us. I guess we’re not always sure what that is, but those with incredible Faith, like the Birthday we celebrate on Christmas, that life made an incredible difference to the world. And he was born in the most humble conditions.
One of my favorite quotes is from A. R. Bernard: “Life is God's gift to us. What we do with it is our gift to God.” Perhaps that is the greatest gift we can contemplate this year. And, as I think about how profound and powerful that message is I’m humbled – there is so much more I need to do! I heard the Pentatonix version of ‘Mary Did You Know’ last week and for some reason it struck me as profound, sad, inspirational and incredibly powerful. As I think about the importance of that one very simple but most incredible life to the world I am humbled to think of that life and sacrifice for one purpose – us.
I wish you the gifts of time, friends, family and Faith!
Merry Christmas to you!
Dave and the entire Human Capital Advisors Team!
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