Invest Wisely

We live in an age where many spend a lifetime preparing for the future. Investors constantly monitor portfolios with the hope of good return to benefit us when we find ourselves in our retirement years. This may be well and good and prudent to invest time and energy in living comfortably both now and in the future. But in so doing, are we missing the little things that matter? It is imperative that we don’t miss the point in living our life. Why are we here? How can I not only add value to my life but add value to others? William Arthur Ward summed it up well:

"The adventure of life is to learn. The purpose of life is to grow. The nature of life is to change. The challenge of life is to overcome. The essence of life is to care. The opportunity of life is to serve. The secret of life is to dare. The spice of life is to befriend. The beauty of life is to give." ~ William Arthur Ward~

A kind word and a smile can brighten someone’s world and give encouragement to others we may pass on our daily trek through life. The investments that will pay dividends long after we are gone from the stage of life are those where there is not a dollar value attached to it. The monetary systems of this world will go up and down through the eons of time, but a kind word said to someone will live on in their hearts forever. We must never forget when working and investing in our various businesses not to forget the things that matter most when it’s all said and done.

"Live simply. Speak kindly. Care deeply. Love generously."

M. D. Gray

http://www.nwlavbs.com/

The Possibilities of Success

Tomorrow's another day….today is the first day of the rest of your life and the list goes on concerning the possibilities of a fresh start. There must be a starting point where we make up our minds to move toward a goal that we have set in our minds. Zig Ziglar said it well, “If we don’t start, it’s certain we can’t arrive”. There are defining moments in everyone’s life and it will be up to you to “Carpe Diem” (Seize the Day).

“On a day no different than the one now dawning, Shakespeare

sat down and started Hamlet, Leonardo stepped to an easel and

made the first strokes of the Mona Lisa, and Beethoven took out

a sketch book and began the Ninth Symphony.”
-Adapted from Robert Richardson, Emerson: The Mind on Fire-

Many today have absorbed the negativity that bombards us on a daily basis from the media telling us how bad the economy is and that the future does not look much better. Rather than embracing this line of thinking, it is imperative that we see the opportunity that comes with the challenges and changes that are facing us at this time.

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects
it to change; the realist adjusts the sails."-William A. Ward-

A wise man once said, “He that observes the wind will not sow; and he that regards the clouds will not reap.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4) The possibilities of success will come if you stay focused on goals that you have set. Think of Thomas Edison and the failures that he encountered, but he persevered until there was success. Success becomes more possible with persistence and a definite goal.

May you have success today and always.

M. D. Gray

http://www.nwlavbs.com/