I am the second oldest in a family of 4 strong and independent women. So, as you can image there were many days when my Dad was happy to get out of the house and go to work. We had our share of sibling competition and rivalry, but love and compassion was always present. My parents raised us to believe that we could do anything we set our minds to. They encouraged and empowered us to get an education, help others, and work toward our goals. And as a result, all four of us run our own businesses in our respective fields.
My parents not only taught me to ride a bike, and tie my shoes, but they also taught me the importance of family, financial security, personal growth, creativity, and health.
Quality family time has always been a priority for my parents. We always sat at the table to enjoy delicious homecooked meals and conversation. There were no devices, phone calls or TV distractions during dinner time. As a teenager, this was frustrating. But now my husband and I have the same rules in our home. We enjoy connection and laughter while we prepare and share meals together with our kids. I truly treasure this time together. I also appreciate the culinary skills and healthy eating choices I learned from my Mom and have since passed down to my kids.
At a young age, my Mom was diagnosed with Cancer. I was 20 at the time and the news rocked my world. I was concerned about her health and the financial security of our family. She went through treatments and recovery. But this health event, shifted my parent’s priorities. They were always good with their money and planning for the future. But they now made more time for travel and things that brought them joy. Dad managed to find more time for his woodworking projects and Mom fueled her curious mind with reading and adventures. Finding the right balance between living for today and preparing for the future can be a tough balancing act. My Mom encouraged me to start saving for retirement at a young age and I have continued to be a good saver. But having savings isn’t the only thing needed for a wonderful retirement. If your health deteriorates before your savings do, the plans for your passionate and purposeful retirement may have to be rerouted to fit your abilities.
Health is an integral part of Wealth Planning. Your health is your number one asset. Health is Wealth.
“A healthy person has thousands of wishes, a sick person only has one.” Agnes Karll Schwest Krankenpfleger
My parent’s health scares helped to put this into perspective for me. My Mom always ate well and enjoyed hiking and keeping active. Unfortunately, genetics can railroad even the best efforts. But I still prioritize treating my body as well as I can. In order to enjoy all the things on my bucket list, I need to preserve my health. According to Dr. Golubic of the Cleveland Clinic, about 80% of chronic diseases are driven by lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise.
(5 Healthy Habits That Prevent Chronic Disease https://health.clevelandclinic.org/5-healthy-habits-that-prevent-chronic-disease/). Life expectancy continues to expand and we need to do our best to nurture our health, so it matches the lifestyle we are working towards.
Don’t put off thinking about your physical fitness, what foods you are fueling your body with, your sleep patterns or mental health and wellbeing. The lifestyle choices you make now, affect the future you have ahead of you. Changing your diet even in the slightest way, walking that extra mile, practicing mindfulness, bettering your mental health with tools and resources, limiting your alcohol consumption, or even getting that sore shoulder checked out can truly change your life for the better years down the road. These changes to your lifestyle, big or small, can make the world of a difference. These changes can make that vacation to Australia or camping trip with your grandchildren possible.
My parents have taught me to value my health, never stop learning, save for a rainy day and treasure my family. Your health is your biggest asset, are you treating it that way?
Check out the Blog about Your Health and Wealth Legacy
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