“I am happy because I’m grateful. I choose to be grateful. That gratitude allows me to be happy.”
–Will Arnett
Hi Everyone,
Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.
You give thanks, get with family and friends, and eat too much.
But being thankful and grateful is the heart of the holiday. It turns out that being positive and grateful is a key to success, too.
So, I will first describe what I am thankful for. It is the same for most people—health, family, and optimism. Then, I will lay out the general financial consequences of those blessings for me and others. Finally, I will discuss the actions you can take too.
GRATITUDE NO 1: FOR HEALTH
Someone once said that if you have your health, you have everything.
For me, so far, so good.
The family’s health status is good overall, too, with a few exceptions. Some members of my family have health issues–but so far, they are fixable with modern medicine.
I also feel well, but I never take anything for granted. Your health can change in an instant.
A recent challenge: weight. I have kept my weight under control but could do more. And now there is no time to be complacent: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year are coming up. The goal: don’t scrape on both sides of the hall by January 2nd.
It won’t be easy with the good cooks in my family.
Now, I know some of you say health is not a financial goal. Putting this item on the list is cheating.
And to some degree, it is–because you do not fully control it. Achieving good health is equal parts luck and skill. After all, no one controls their genetics or whether they have preexisting genetic or physical conditions.
But if you control what you can, it is all good.
HEALTH IMPACTS ON INCOME AND EXPENSES
Your health has a significant impact on your finances.
When you take care of yourself, exercise, and eat well, those things are important for avoiding costs and being healthy enough to bring in income.
Here are some of the impacts that being healthy have on maintaining income:
- Work—if you are healthy, you can keep money coming in
- The efficiency of work–the better you feel, the more likely you can maintain your job and high standards.
- Fewer interruptions to working (consistent income)
On the expense side, I can only say that the leading cause of bankruptcy is medical bills.
WHAT TO DO
Pay attention to what your doctor advises. Ask them to be critical and permit them to be frank about diet, exercise, and personal habits.
Oh, and stop smoking and using drugs and restrict your alcohol intake.
I know it is popular nowadays to second guess your doctor, but pay attention to the basics. For instance, if you are a frequent drug user, it won’t help much if you only eat organic vegetables.
GRATITUDE NO. 2: FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY
I am so lucky.
But would I like to see my extended family more often? Sure. Could I do better in maintaining contact with friends? Yes. But overall, I cannot complain. Ok, maybe a little (and you know who you are too).
IMPACTS
Loneliness is an epidemic. Many people have no one to support them when things go wrong.
This circumstance leads to higher medical costs and the burden of taking on life’s challenges yourself. And it is not easy to be an expert at everything.
Some of the impacts of loneliness and having no one to help are just simple math. For example, what if you must always hire someone to do what a friend or family member could do for free?
WHAT TO DO
First, if this is you, think about changing your mindset.
Go to social events. Make a point of seeing friends and family if you have not. Say hello to others, even if you do not know them.
And understand that the process of reconnecting with people can take time.
But it is worth it.
GRATITUDE NO. 3: FOR POSITIVITY
I am firmly convinced that positivity and gratitude are more objective and lead to good results. Think about the current situation in our country. We have:
- Low unemployment
- High income compared with other countries
- Freedom
And yet you hear a lot of people with negative attitudes. While I am not pollyannaish, I do not think pervasive negativity is objective.
IMPACTS
Optimism is a trait of financially successful people.
For instance, in a recent study, 90% of optimists set aside reserves for a significant purchase, compared to 70% of pessimists. Optimists usually have emergency funds, while most pessimists do not. Optimists are generally less stressed about finances, partly because they are likely to seek out and take advice from others they trust (see above).
I tend to be a cynic, but that is not the same as being a pessimist. It is essential to know the difference. Cynicism means recognizing that self-interest is a primary motivator of the human race. Optimism is based on the idea that you can eventually make things work, that things will work out, and that things will ultimately get better.
Disclaimer: consult with a financial fiduciary before taking any steps outlined here. Not all advice may be suitable for your circumstances or investment style.
Image: Libby Penner
License: Unsplash