Views
Diversive Investing
Diversive Investing
by Jade Wolfe
There are some things in life too expensive to neglect. Everyone has a list of line items in this category. These are pro-active items perhaps under ‘maintenance’ or ‘business expenses’ in the mind’s eye. Typically we learn the ‘hard way’ about the benefits of maintenance. Cars are a common example. During my ‘financially lean’ years working in non-for-profits, car maintenance was too great a luxury to consistently achieve. And, of course, annually the results of oil change deprivation would take its toll.A similar view might be entertained in our relationship ‘accounts’. If you have ever watched any soap opera, it becomes obvious that most of the stressors, plot enhancers and drawn out conflicts depend on terribly depleted, overdrawn ‘human accounts’. The last few months have provided me with ample opportunities for my own account maintenance.
I am fortunate to have a wide variety of friends and acquaintances. Recently, I listened with great interest and a fair amount of comprehension to a friend of ours explaining the finer points in an area of financial planning. Her expertise provides many people with sound financial investments and thus a feeling of security about their futures. It made me think about other forms of investing. We invest in time. Every person has it to give, use and share. And within these pockets of time, there are levels of attentiveness, sincerity and awareness.
It is always heartening whenever someone ‘takes the time’ to actually make eye contact with someone waiting tables, checking in a grocery store or passing the dinner rolls in a new social situation. Understandably some communications are more crucial than others. But ‘crucial’ is often determined by which moment in time is being considered. The waiter you barely acknowledged this morning may, in four short years, sit across a desk from you to consider your car loan application. The person you waved on to complete a turn into busy traffic may re-pay you next month as a volunteer EMT responding to your 911 call. Other, more subtle circumstances, frequent daily life. Maybe a politician’s eye for ‘everyone is a potential voter’ has merit.
As I review my personal ‘relationship portfolio’ it appears to be expanding in priorities over the last few years. And, it is my projection that within another few fiscal-human calendars, I will continue to invest more wisely. As I write this, imaginary voices comment back “I don’t have the time to stop and talk to everyone” …”there wouldn’t be enough hours in the day if every person I met was of equal interest to me” …”easy for you, a writer but I work in an office…” And these are welcome thoughts. Out of context, my ideas could be absurd. However, it takes less than a second to make eye contact with another person. Adding a brief, genuine smile you are still under a second and have just created endorphins for yourself.
An essential component is self-investment as well. Self-concepts can be tricky to nurture and grow. The theoretical healthy self-image is easier to conceptualize than actualize. Yet it is doable. The first step, ‘believe you are equally worthy as the person you most admire’ can be difficult. However, this maintenance item is too expensive for any of us to ignore.
Living as GLBT, we experience the mixed blessings of interacting with one another and the larger community. Labels dividing us, sometimes within ourselves, lose their potency and are replaced by understanding. Being able to relate becomes more productive and evolved with awareness. Time spent promoting positive acceptance of self and others is invaluable. There are many forms of richness to be savored within and throughout our lifetimes. We can choose carefully, thus providing ourselves and one another abundantly, joyful lives.