What Are You Thankful For? Some Thoughts from LWP Partners

Dave Zumpano

“[My faith] lets me know there is a reason and a place and a God who ensures that I'm never given more than I can handle.”

It's that time of the year when we look back on what has occurred over the year and begin to get hopeful for next year. As I think about 2015, there are so many things I am grateful for. I have made tremendous progress in my business, continued to develop great relationships with family and friends and built a phenomenal team of individuals who are committed to going beyond their comfort level to help others. Underlying all of this progress is the faith that my parents gave me and that I continue to treasure. It lets me know there is a reason and a place and a God who ensures that I'm never given more than I can handle. My family is a blessing of unconditional love, continuous fun and outward contribution to all those we come in contact with. All of this is made possible by the selfless team that comes to work each day to help carry out the dream we have envisioned, one that others add upon to have impact on the world and help those we can to move them forward to fulfill their needs.

As I look back, there are plenty of challenges in my life over the past year as well, but what I'm most grateful for is that through each one, I was able to grow and learn and enhance relationships necessary along the way. I'm grateful for my business partners, who provide respectful pushback and unique insights. I'm grateful for my spouse, who smiles and supports me in all my endeavors, even those that may seem “out there.” I'm grateful for the community of family and friends and the joy derived by day-to-day interactions and living in the present with all of them.

I'm also grateful for those of you who take the time to open my blog posts and read them. As you look back on 2015 and look forward to 2016, I hope you can find all the things you are grateful for and identify how you want to make your mark on the world in 2016. Happy Holidays, whatever your holiday is, and may your best day of 2015 be your worst day of the New Year.

Victoria Collier

“I have the perfect insider’s view of what my life could be.”

As an estate and elder care attorney, I have the privilege of being invited into the lives of others.  Many of them have lived glorious days, while others are still trying to create a plan to survive.  While learning about their immediate needs, I also get to see what their family is like, what they have achieved or haven’t, and their attitudes about aging.  I have the perfect insider’s view of what my life could be.  And for that, I am truly grateful for my spouse, who has supported me through 19 years of life experiences and business ventures, and my children, who make my heart melt just with a smile.  I am grateful that we all have good health and good attitudes about learning and living. In full circle, helping families create estate and long-term care plans helps me to be aware of and to be able to help so many more seniors and veterans maintain quality of life as they age, as we all age. 

Molly Hall

“The eight-plus hours a day I spend outside my family, sleep and yoga time feels like a daily, hourly purpose-driven mission.”

• Family – I know this one can land like it's rather “rogue.” Every award acknowledgment, sporting event and gratitude exercise begins with some rendition of thanking family. Without truly enjoying my family, our time together and all the hobbies and interests we have together, my personality would allow for me to be a workaholic. I know all too many people who hide out in the “busy and important” parts of their work because being intoxicated in work, “overwhelmed and stressed” sounds much more attractive than spending time with their family. I know it sounds horrifying, but it is sadly true. I am so grateful for my family and the amazing year we had: camping, swim team, golf team, lacrosse, softball, hiking, Mexico, skiing, snowshoeing, dinners with friends, and belly laughing at many movies. This year in particular, I don't take for granted the uniqueness of our quality family time and the absolute fun we have together. 

• Health – Every time I open my smartphone and see a group text from my siblings and/or load Facebook, I would be losing if I didn't silently say a quick prayer this year. It felt like everywhere I turned there was an update with another friend, family member, neighbor or colleague who was faced with some version of an illness, health scare or death. There is a part of me that is in denial around “we're at that age,” but this year in particular it seemed like it was everywhere – young, old and in between. This year I am deeply grateful for my health and my children's health and that we are alive and well. That really felt like an enormous victory this year. I'm already creating and planning for our 2016 health goals and ways we can proactively create up-leveled conscious health goals.

• Purpose – What I get to do day in and day out is not “work.” The eight-plus hours a day I spend outside my family, sleep and yoga time feels like a daily, hourly purpose-driven mission. Whether it's in writing, coaching, teaching a webinar, partners meetings, creating marketing content or leading a demonstration for prospective members craving a new way of life and practice, I don't take my part lightly. I owe it to each piece to be fully present and fully coming from a place of passion, purpose and difference-making. 

We want to take this moment to say THANK YOU to all our members, their team, our power partners and speakers for a most wonderful and blessed 2015.  We look forward to locking arms with you all again in 2016 and making it the best year yet!