Days of Covid-19: Community Compassion Daily Posts

On March 17, 2020, shortly after shelter-in-place was mandated in San Francisco, I wanted to post, on the Power of And facebook page, a daily message about community compassion, self compassion, and something that spoke to the ways people were trying to use their humanity for good. On Day 16, we were told that shelter-in-place would extend at least 5 more weeks. With that news, I wanted to highlight our need for self-compassion and love. Here is that post:

Day 16 #CommunityCompassion...the news has been difficult on many levels and the bright spots, while bright, are sometimes hard to see in all the darkness. While being of service to others, try to be of service to yourself and practice some self-compassion and self-love...a favorite poem:

Self Love by Lang Leav

Once when I was running,
from all that haunted me;
to the dark I was succumbing -
to what hurt unbearably.

Searching for the one thing,
that would set my sad soul free.

In time I stumbled upon it,
an inner calm and peace;
and now I am beginning -
and all I've yet to be.

#communitycompassion #selflove Lang Leav

Can We Be Impartial With Ourselves About Our Money?

Can We be Impartial With Ourselves About Our Money?

Impartiality is a hot topic in the press these days. The issue of neutrality led me to wonder if we are fair with ourselves. Are we open to new ideas, facts, lessons learned, or are we just critical with our life choices? I posed these questions to my clients as we reviewed their 2019 year-end financial picture and discussed 2020 goals. I, too, need to answer these questions for the same reasons and for the same periods. What follows is some guidance on how you can create your new year/new decade in ways that make sense for your financial goals, while appreciating your life values, principles, money narrative, and thought process.

Give Grace

A client and I discovered we both overspent with our gift-giving in 2019. We compared notes and found we had the same reactions of being self-critical for going over our personal budgets. In our meeting, when reviewing my client’s finances, she expressed anxiety and fear about the ramifications of overspending in a category. For 2020, she had started planning how not to repeat her “error.” My questions, such as, “How did it feel to buy a gift for your Uncle? Will you walk through the entire process?” brought forth how calm and joyful she felt at the time of buying and giving the gift. Through this process, we discovered that her style of gifting intertwined her life values of generosity and thoughtfulness.

The same is true of me. After some pondering, I don't regret how I’ve prioritized my life values and resulting financial picture at all. Giving allows me to live my life the way I want to live it.

Everyone has a money narrative; derived from how we grew up with money, what we learned explicitly or implicitly about it. Our money story holds our emotions, which leads to our thoughts and actions. I encourage you to review your 2019 financial actions with a different lens. Flipping your self-narrative from critical to positive can offer a needed reframe of your money narrative.

Consider Trade-Offs

A review and reconstruction of your yearly budget are appropriate. We are all in a constant state of transition. How we think about money, how we spend and save money reflects the changes in our lives. I work with my clients to create their personal Venn diagram – the intersection of your dollars with the collection and prioritization of wants, needs, and life values. If you have already created your 2020 budget, given we are already in February, you may be wise to take another look at it. I encourage you to ask yourself, “Is this budget financially feasible? What do I want to trade-off to make it so?” I previously wrote about The Beauty of Budgets, where I spend a great deal of time reflecting on my relationship to money, my needs, life values, and financial goals. Don't worry; it isn't as painful as you think. Setting a budget can bring comfort and clarity.

Give Yourself Affirmation

As we move into alignment, as we gain insight into our personal money story, how we think about our financial picture takes on a different perspective. I heard someone say, “leave your head, and get into your heart.” I wish I had come up with that line as it describes my philosophy of how to think with all systems in concert together. Let me offer, that when you act while considering your life values and priorities, there can be a sense of calmness, of certainty. “This is what I was meant to do,” is an expression I hear when this occurs.

Serenity was what my client felt when she took her son to serve at a food pantry during the holidays, which resulted in his appreciation of the many gifts he has received from his parents. Another client thought it necessary to take his family on a trip to see relatives across the country and altered his financial structure to accommodate that trip. At the end of 2019, I traveled to the US/Mexico border to volunteer with humanitarian non-profits assisting asylum seekers. While I didn't go there seeking fulfillment, my mission highlighted my need to serve others who are less fortunate – another reason to tweak my financial plan so I can continue to be of service.

Leigh Weinraub, Founder of Mind in Motion, speaks about “honoring the process of reflection,” as it will bring awareness and understanding of who you are, how you think, and where you are going in your life. I invite you to use the philosophy of reflection on your disposable income and your financial goals in the exact same way.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.” - Aristotle

In this special Year of the Rat, not just a new year but a new decade, which brings with it the promise of prosperity, we can make choices that enable us to provide comfort – mental and physical – for the future. May you move forward this year with joy, enthusiasm, and interest in learning more about and being more impartial with yourself.  If I can be your navigator, sounding board, listening partner, or guide, you know where to find me.

With Warmth and Gratitude - Emily

A Cornucopia for Your Mental Nourishment

November is the month where we are especially thankful for our bounty, in whatever form it takes. I am grateful for this year’s opportunities for growth, challenge, learning, and listening. In the spirit of the season, I offer you fodder for your nourishment.

Perspective Can Take You Anywhere

We are all in some life transition – either by choice or thrust upon us. It can be hard to appreciate what we know when changes are cascading over us. Put your knowledge in perspective by viewing learning and growth as the contents of three different buckets.

1. I know what I know: I am confident and self-assured in this knowledge.

2. I know something about what I don't know: I know something about a topic and my learning process needs to continue.

3. I don't know what I don't know: I am aware knowledge is obtainable if I remain open and curious.

Please note that buckets 2 and 3 are large (and getting larger by the day for me!). When you accept this notion, it is much easier to ask questions.

Your Money Story Affects You and Yours

Your money story, whether consciously or not, affects the majority of the decisions you make. When discussing life values, financial goals, philanthropic direction, and legacy planning with clients, I unpack their money stories. Your money narrative can be subtle, nuanced, and hidden, especially as we are taught to not talk about money. Open a dialogue to uncover your story and, eventually, the dots start connecting. Sharing your story brings you clarity and peace of mind and allows your professionals to do an even better job for you.

Energize is In, Passion is Semi-In: 

I once gave a TedTalk about The Evolution of a "Passionaholic;" a phrase I coined, meaning a person whose passion engages one so completely that other pursuits pale in comparison. At present, passion seems to equate to a borderline obsession. Now, I am a proponent of “energize” – what or who gives you energy. Stage 2 Planning’s Josh Patrick and I revisit the passion topic. Tune in to the podcast to hear how to find what energizes you and how to keep that interest.

“And, Emily, what energizes you?”

Answer – Acting on my core value that people want to matter, be seen, and be heard. In my both personal and professional lives, I do this by listening, empathizing, comforting, guiding, and/or just showing up. For decades, I have volunteered for humanitarian efforts here and abroad (incl. US/Mexico border, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesvos/Athens Greece). This month, I return to our border to work with other volunteers helping asylum seekers. I am humbled by those in need, the volunteers, and those who choose to support my efforts. My volunteerism is food for my soul, providing the nourishment of perspective, gratitude, humility, and God's grace.

The reading of Warsan Shire’s poem, HOME, by a member of The Aswat Ensemble (in April at The Othering and Belonging Conference in Oakland) is especially profound to me. PLEASE listen (she starts at the 7:45 mark) and/or read to learn why anyone would ever leave home.

“We can learn to see each other and see ourselves in each other and recognize that human beings are more alike than we are unalike.”  - Maya Angelou

May we all continue to find fulfilling growth and connection. Peace, clarity, and joy to you and yours.

With warmth and gratitude – Emily

There's No Such Thing As TMI - Tools for the New Year

There’s No Such Thing As TMI - Tools for the New Year

I want to open with a personal story: I learned I have a hearing impairment (and tinnitus) at age 48.  For years, I have had to pay closer attention to what people were saying and I increasingly asked questions to add clarity and context to conversations. Plus, between you and me, my hearing “auto-correct” is often hilarious, and nowhere near what the person said!

 Taken out of context, hearing "there is no such thing as too much information," might sound unfortunate. Let me elaborate, and fast. When I consult with financial or philanthropic clients, I often start with the question, "What is your story?" followed by "There is no such thing as TMI." We are taught to self-censor, to keep it short, and I want the exact opposite to happen. Then I listen to their story, connecting the dots between who they are, from a values and mindset perspective, and the finance or philanthropic question at hand.

 In my core, I believe everyone has a unique narrative and I am curious to learn that story. It turns out that this trait combined with the hearing loss makes me a superior listener. I dig deep into the mindsets and needs of my clients and their advisors. Thus, for me, there is no such thing as too much information.

 I haven't written in a while (see, I listened to your request to not fill up your inbox!) and want to report I am still pursuing this passion of helping people with the human side of money. It's now a new year, and you likely have personal goals of 'getting your house' in order. I've consciously created, for take-home value, some advice based on my professional and personal experiences. What follows is an assembly of tools, and some guidance to help you on your journey to success.

•  Answer the hardest questions first

Change is inevitable. Major life events such as a death in the family, divorce, natural disaster, even a new year, prompt many people to ask more profound questions such as "What do I want to be known for when I die?"  The reality is while we discuss an end of life will/estate plan, every client has used the knowledge gained in the present. In WHAT IS YOUR LEGACY, I detailed my story and the hard work of matching my values and intentions with my financial and philanthropic assets. I gained clarity and tranquility. To learn more about gaining peace of mind visit https://emilyscottand.com/legacy-exploration/

• Start living your legacy now

With the toughest of all questions answered, you need to work your way backward to move forward. In DOES YOUR PHILANTHROPY REPRESENT WHO YOU ARE? I address the issue "Are you living the life you want to leave to others?" If you aren't living your legacy, there’s no time like the present. To explore living with more intention through philanthropy visit https://emilyscottand.com/philanthropic-direction/

• Match your means with your values and interests

In creating my annual budget, I often review my spending in the past year and embrace THE BEAUTY OF BUDGETS. After all, I want to ensure my budget allows me to live my legacy now, and to its fullest. To learn about the process of financial prioritization visit https://emilyscottand.com/account-reconciliation/

In the last three years, what I have repeatedly seen in the business world is that people eagerly plan for their future with professionals from a rational perspective, but a view of the human side of money is lacking. We all have a money story that can either get in our way or benefit us.  Either way, talking about it, learning about it, embracing it, makes for a more complete understanding and appreciation of who you are and how to merge the practical with the personal.  The more information you gather, the more you can share with the professionals in your life as well as others who, you deem, need to know.

 As Brene Brown famously said, “What we know matters, but who we are matters more.” My primary mission is to help individuals and families fully align aspects of their financial journey with their life’s purpose and values leading to a life of clarity, freedom, and joy.

 It starts with a conversation.

Winter Solstice Thoughts

Winter Solstice and its message of reflection and renewal ended today. I posted each day for the 4 days…what follows is the collection of the 4 brief essays:

WINTER SOLSTICE: Day One

According to Forever Conscious, “The winter solstice celebrates the longest hours of darkness or the rebirth of the sun and is believed to hold powerful energy for regeneration, renewal, and self-reflection. In Pagan times the winter solstice was referred to as Yule and was a celebration of the Goddess (Moon) energy. It was believed that on this day, the moon would give birth to the sun.”

The winter solstice is a time of quiet energy, where you get the opportunity to look within yourself and focus on what you want and need. It’s a time to set goals and intentions for the coming year, to examine and let go of our past, and to make changes within ourselves. The solstice is essentially tied to personal awakening.

Thus the journey continues with this as the next step…and my moment of self-reflection tonight? My vulnerability is more than others realize, my resiliency is more than I realize…

WINTER SOLSTICE: Day Two

Reflection…the many layers of each of our lives and how they are constantly changing…as the saying, “you can’t be in the same river twice (for the water is constantly moving)”…what layers do we reveal to ourselves and what layers do we reveal to others…willingly or not? Are we daring to peel back the layers as they get more sensitive, more vulnerable, more scarily unknown? Do we put the outer layers back on for safety, for defense, for blissful ignorance?

And…are you open to asking, “what layers serve me well — even if the service is not of a positive nature, how am I being served? And does this layer makes sense to keep or is it time for gratitude followed by removal to the past lives/experience compost bin?

How does renewal come without shedding the layers that prevent the new skin from breathing air…what am I willing to leave behind in order to move forward?

WINTER SOLSTICE: Day Three

Looking forward — what do I see? Clarity? Vagueness? Are the images defined, a blur, or something in-between?

Looking forward — what do I feel? Fear? Excitement? Angst?

Can I follow my mantra of coming to the conversation curious? Can fear of the unknown be replaced by a wonderment for the unknown? YES. A resounding YES.

“Rejections will redirect you to more exciting roads. When you think your life is falling apart, it’s usually falling together in disguise. Your search will throw you on journeys you never would have dreamt of, in your mind and in the world.” -Charlotte Ericksson

WINTER SOLSTICE: Last Day

As the winter solstice ends, we are encouraged to seek renewal, experience birth/rebirth, move on with our thoughts, our revelations, our desires. What wisdom have you found in that deep vessel that is your inner being? What more are you wanting to explore? The barriers to your dreams, intentions, and goals are the ones you allow to enter your core.

Buddha says, “Three things cannot be hidden for long, the sun, the moon, and the truth.” What is your truth? How do you want to show up in the world?

“rise

said the moon

and the new day came” ― Rupi Kaur

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Photos Credit: Emily Scott