life story

Waffles, Friends, Work
NBC / Getty Images

“We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn’t matter, but work is third.” 

—Leslie Knope 

I think we all can relate to Leslie Knope from Parks and Recreation from time to time. This TV heroine’s persistent optimism and love for improving her community are things that resonate with us.  

Although our first instinct is to laugh when we read the above quote from Leslie, we do think there are some great takeaways in this phrase: we can remember to cherish our relationships and treat ourselves, even as we are working towards our goals. 

Life is short, so we love to spend time with friends and family while we can. Instead of staying late at work to finish up a project that can wait until tomorrow, we learn to call a friend instead and see if we can stop by. Some days, it’s a rush to get home to a beautiful family and cuddle our loved ones. Any moment can be precious. 

We take the time to treat ourselves and relish what comforts us. What’s that one dish that takes you back to your childhood or a great time in your life? Whether it’s a potato salad that reminds you of Grandma or a dish you had on your wedding day, food is a simple way to reconnect with ourselves or others. Our bodies should be nourished both physically and mentally, so don’t deprive yourself. 

While we need to work to provide for ourselves or our families, there is more to life than your career: work is just one part of our story. Not many of us will be looking back on life and thinking, “Gee, I should’ve spent more time at work!” Instead, we will reflect on the memories we’ve made with the people we love. We work so we can enjoy all of the wonderful things life has to offer, on or off the clock. 

How do we prioritize the people or things that are important in life? It’s up to each of us. Leslie Knope is a character who is passionate about her work—but even more passionate about her friends. (Does that sound like a friendly shop on Main Street you might know?) 

We hope that the work we do together will let you spend less time stressing about your financial plans, so you can have more time to spend on what matters, from friends and waffles to whatever else is precious to you. 

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Waffles, Friends, and Work – 228Main.com Presents: The Best of Leibman Financial Services

This text is available at https://www.228Main.com/.

The Book of Life

© Can Stock Photo / photocreo

Books have chapters, each one a thread that is woven together with the other chapters to tell a story. Characters come and go, things happen, the plot advances. When a character’s part is finished, they do not appear in future chapters.

They were there for a reason; we remember them through the rest of the book. I’ve come to see that life is like that, too.

Our lives are a book with different chapters. In the hardest times, it helps to think there are more chapters out there. It will not always be the way it is now. The current chapter is not the whole book.

And in the best times, the same framework reminds us to be grateful for the moment, for what we have.

The way things unfold for some people, it may seem like half or more of their lives are in a single chapter. When the chapter ends, one might wonder if life is ending. But the chapter is not the book. (Or at least it does not have to be.)

C.S. Lewis noted we cannot go back and change the beginning, but we can start now and change the ending. Our sorrow is that we cannot change the prior chapter, but there is joy in being able to change the next chapter. This is why we make plans for the future!

Clients, if you would like to talk about this or anything else, please email us or call.

Letters to our Children #4: Create Your Own Adventure

© Can Stock Photo / dolgachov

Narratives, or stories, are how we understand the world and our place in it. They may play a powerful role in helping you form and reach your major aims. For example, my own narrative about working to age 92 has given our enterprise a vitality and dynamism that those coasting toward retirement may lack—among other benefits.

While your story is highly personal and unique, we often see these three patterns:

1. Younger clients are often aiming at building financial security, establishing homes and careers, within the longer term goal of becoming financially independent.
2. Some of our clients are retirees whose narratives involve being a good steward of their wealth, enjoying life by living modestly but well, and aiming at leaving a legacy to succeeding generations.
3. Others are more focused on travel or other things that were not possible during their working years, and having the cash flow to comfortably support those things.

The foundation of your narrative is your core principles, or what you are trying to do with your life. When your story connects with the most fundamental thing about you, it may be more likely to become true. What are the three most important things in your life?

Where and how do you want to live? What role will family play in your activities? How will you spend your time? Will you work at something you enjoy for pleasure in later years? Is entrepreneurship in your future?

You do yourself a big favor when you realize that life is your own adventure. You can create it.

Sometimes your story has to change because life happens. One chapter ends and a new one begins. We are almost never done with new chapters and new stories. Resiliency and adaptability, making the most of what you have to work with, are useful additions to any story.

Clients, if you would like to talk about your story or anything else, please email us or call.