“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking in anything.”    James 1:2-4

September 2019

Dear Friends,

The wonderful fall season is upon us and we hope you are enjoying every moment!  October’s monthly gift letter is The Gift of Problems and it offers some unique and thought-provoking ways you and your family can address problems in your life and embrace important life lessons in the solutions.

It is our hope that each month’s gift provides you and yours with ways to live life more purposefully and joyfully, with a renewed commitment to family ties and making the most of each precious day.  Please let us know your response to our 2019 monthly gift series, and your experience with each month’s insights and suggestions.

On behalf of the Legacy Planning Advisors team, we wish you a fruitful month.  We also once again encourage you to create and achieve purposeful legacies of wealth beyond mere riches. Please know we welcome and look forward to your calls at any time, for any reason.

Blessings,

The Team at Legacy Planning Advisors, LLC.

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

The Gift of Problems

Wouldn’t it be great if, for every problem that arose in our lives, a solution manual appeared at the exact same time – with step-by-step instructions telling us exactly how to solve it? 

The Bible can serve as that manual, helping us to find ways to confront, embrace, tackle and accept the obstacles and difficulties we encounter in our lives.  Approached this way, we find that our trials and tribulations will lead to perseverance and character; ultimately helping us to become mature and complete.

Sometimes facing a problem means understanding that conflict is natural, and there is so much we can learn and gain from it.  If we approach every problem with a solution-minded attitude, along with an acceptance that not all problems can be “solved,” we will be one step closer to understanding how the Gift of Problems can be a positive part of our lives. 

Fall is a great time to think about how families in the past, who lived off the harvest, worked together to solve problems, overcame obstacles and made it all happen.  This month, share your problems and find ways to see those problems as opportunities to learn, grow, change, and accept.

 

Experience The Gift of Problems

 

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you have tribulation but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Words of Wisdom

We have so much to learn from those around us, especially those who have lived enough to understand that they don’t know everything and that problems and obstacles can be turned into opportunities from which we can learn and grow. 

Have each family member ask one person he/she knows, who has experienced life (older family member, friends, teachers, or coaches, etc.), to share his/her story on a notecard provided by you. 

What has she/he learned from obstacles and struggles?  How have those lessons changed what he/she does or thinks about things? You will find that the people you ask will be delighted and honored to pass their wisdom on to those who are interested. 

At the end of the month, plan a special dinner to share these “Words of Wisdom”, or better yet, invite your special guest to join you at the dinner table and tell his/her story firsthand.  Collect and save these Words of Wisdom cards.  They will surely be a cherished keepsake. 

 

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.” Psalm 50:15

 

It's All in How You Look At It

Have your family sit down together and each makes a list of 3 problems or obstacles that currently exist in your lives.  Be careful not to judge or belittle someone else’s problems. 

The point of this experience is to understand it’s all in how you look at it. You may view another family member’s issue as “no big deal,” when it is a very “big deal” to him/her. 

Many of us experience disappointment, hurt, and unhappiness in our lives due to the misunderstanding and conflict that occur in our relationships.  The real problem is that we look at things from our perspective while ignoring everyone else’s.  We don’t always know all the facts or what the other person has experienced.  When we try to put ourselves “in their shoes” and imagine what it must feel like for them, we begin to understand better and are able to forgive with an open heart. 

Some problems, however, don’t’ seem to have solutions, and we can’t change other people – no matter how hard and how long we try.  We can, however, change our own attitudes and behaviors.  It is amazing how little change on our part ends up changing the behavior of those with which we interact. Try it and you will be pleasantly surprised. 

Once you have each made a list of three problems, help each other look for possible solutions, opportunities to learn an important life lesson, or a way you can change your own attitude or behavior.  Help each other, with support and encouragement, work toward resolving your problems, while learning and growing.