As I approach the five-year anniversary of the beginning of my cancer story, it feels appropriate to share one of the planning decisions I have made in response to living with a shortened time horizon.
It is a decision that brings my values, my skills and resources, and the communities that have shaped my life together into a rather unusualproject.
Inspired in part by the many Rides for Prostate Cancer held around the world each September, about year ago, I thought about how I might combine several of the things that matter most to me: connection, travel, service, adventure, and fitness advocacy.
The result is Earth and Ocean Expedition, a fundraising initiative that a group of Rotary friends and I have developed to support prostate cancer research and education while extolling the virtues of maintaining physical fitness, even in the face of disease. The initiative takes the form of a multi-country, multi-continent, and multi-ocean human-powered expedition designed to raise both awareness and financial support for the cause. You can learn more about the Earth and Ocean here.
Of course, it goes without saying that I will remain part of the Capfina team while on the expedition and that the team will always ensure our clients will remain cared for.
But what does this have to do with financial planning, you may ask? Quite a lot, actually.
Earth and Ocean, which is a major undertaking, was conceived in the very spirit of the planning philosophy we advocate at Capital Financial Planners. The kind of planning that begins with financial analytics, problem solving, investments, sustainability projections, and so forthand then goes beyond and looks honestly at the facts and circumstances of a life, asking the deeper and more vital question:
"What is it that I truly wish to do with the time I have been given; the time I have left?"
For some, the answer may be spending more time with family. For others, it may be serving a cause, travelling the world, starting a business, writing a book, giving generously, pursuing meaningful experiences, building stronger relationships, or simply living with greater intention. And so on.
Good planning and implementation, we maintain, is not merely about accumulating, preserving, and deploying resources fastidiously. It is about holistically aligning those resources with one’s philosophy, values, and purpose.
Cancer has reinforced for me a lesson that was always true but is easily forgotten: time is our most precious asset. It is finite, uncertain, and irreplaceable. Money matters because it can help us use that time wisely, meaningfully, and well; but money isn’t the end-all.
So, dear reader, take a moment and ask yourself a simple question, and then be unswervingly honest in your reply:
"How do I want to spendthe time ahead?"
The answer will be different for each of us. Whatever it may be, don't wait indefinitely for the perfect circumstances. Begin planning for it. Begin moving toward it.It’s later than we think, so seize the day.
Live intelligently. Live courageously. Live generously. Live compassionately. Pursue excellence. Pursue happiness. Build meaningful relationships. Serve something larger than yourself. Create and build meaning, your meaning, with building blocks of your life.
And when opportunities present themselves, be willing to perhaps exchange comfort for adventure, fear for purpose, and good intentions for action. Be willing to use your resources to enhance and enrich your treasure trove of time, not necessarily the other way around.
After all, we only get this one wild and precious life.
If this resonates and you’d like to talk things over, give us a ring.