To Inspire:

The Joseph Group’s mission is “Helping create great lives, one story at a time.” We love the role we get to play in the great lives of our clients and friends and we also know the importance of living our own great lives. We love to share inspiring stories and we love to talk – and write! – about things like purpose and gratitude. So with the holiday season and a brand new year literally around the corner, I’ve (Michelle) been looking back through this year’s WealthNotes and want to share three of our most popular and inspiring posts.

In January 2022, Co-founder Matt Palmer shared a new perspective on resolutions (A New Perspective on New Year’s Resolutions). After re-reading this, I’m taking three of the suggestions in that post as my 2023 resolutions:

1. Daily Random Act of Kindness (DRAK) – Each morning, commit to doing at least one act of kindness for someone that day. It need not be a big deal: write a note to a friend; phone a cousin you haven’t spoken with for a while; pick up an extra treat at Starbucks and drop it off at a neighbor’s house. These are simple acts and take very little time – but will touch that other person’s heart – and yours too!
2. Have less social media, less noise and more silence – How about a resolution in which you simply avoid social media and/or television for parts of each day. Or make it a point to sit down every day for 15 minutes of complete silence. You can simply think, pray or reflect on what you’re grateful for. Silence is golden – pursue it and see if your sense of well-being doesn’t improve.
3. Move more – Instead of determining that you want to lose 20 pounds – simply make a resolution that you are going to move more each day. Some extra trips up and down the stairs at home or work – or an extra walk around the block. These are easy steps to take that over time will yield results.

In July, I shared ideas on finding happiness in your second half (Second Half Happiness). In From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life, author Arthur C. Brooks  says happiness doesn’t happen by luck but comes from personal work and careful attention, especially for high achievers. Brooks highlights the need for flexibility as we age – we need to let go of the idea that we will be the same throughout our lives: “You will change. Your abilities, your views, your priorities will change. That’s good and natural, and the flexibility to accept those changes gives you opportunities to find new relationships and interests, and build new skills – things that are meaningful now and will increase your happiness moving forward.”

And the most popular of all of our WealthNote’s articles in 2022 came from Client Advisor and Team Leader Dave Suchland. In The Fisherman and The Businessman, Dave shares this parable about what is enough. Many people ask “how much do I need to retire?” but each person’s story is unique. To help answer that question we encourage our clients to think about their purpose and want they want out of retirement. In the parable, the Fisherman understands “enough” and want he wants out of life. “Are you chasing happiness … or is it already there in front of you?” It’s a wonderful parable and a wonderful post – go read it!

We’re excited for a brand new year to continue to share inspirational and informational articles with you. We hope some of things we share in 2023 will touch your heart as we journey together towards more purposeful living.

Written by Michelle O’Brien, Manager of Marketing & Communications