Investments are typically assets that are acquired with the hope they increase, appreciate, or grow in the future. The assets are acquired today with an intentional access point in the future. The investment is, essentially, our ability to hedge our bets today that we will have greater assets or value in the future. I am consumed with the notion of investments of personal resources – time, energy, talents, skills.
Leaders of change invest their personal resources – time, reputation, energies, when they make a disciplined, objective decision to serve as a champion for a change process. Parents invest their culture, beliefs, values, and resources for years in their children. The objective of this investment is an adult that you can be proud of. We often investment our talents for the public good in an effort to repair the world and practice deeds or acts of loving kindness.
It reflects unique aspects of our culture and world when we use the same term to reflect the bottom line of a balance sheet and the personal satisfaction of seeing our children grow into meaningful, ethical adults. As we share values and morals with children, are we really securing our future in the hope that our children will appreciate in value? Do we spend time working with the poor, in literacy programs, or raising funds with the intention of our lives being enriched at some point in the future?
It may be semantics. It could be simply a poor choice of words. My sons are now 29 and 28 years old. They are men that I am proud of. They are caring, loving, intelligent men who possess the values and ethics that are important to my wife and I. Both of the boys make a special effort to spend time with family, volunteer, and excel in their professions. When I look at my sons, I believe the world will be better because of them.
Recently my mother passed away. One evening, one of my sons looked at me and said, “You always take care of us. Maybe we need to take care of you right now.”. My investment has paid off. My investment has appreciated and if o greater value today then it was nearly thirty years ago. I am a wealthier person today as a result of my investment.
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