We all can get caught up with what is referenced to the “hamster wheel of life.” The thought and effects of the going… going ….going. Life, career, family, you name it – we always are moving at a pace that sometimes gets in the way of the life that gives us true joy.
Today, I welcomed back former guest Babs Plunkett onto the Thrive For[e]ward podcast to share a personal story of her brother-in-law Bill and also how she found the inspiration to research and write her book Choose Joy: Three Keys to Investing Your Time in Retirement.
Babs shared that “chasing after false happiness is nothing short of exhausting.”
There was a five-year period in her life that she was in a dark place. She had lost over four family members resulting in her crashing and burning on this hamster wheel. It was during this time and shortly after that Babs had an awakening and really had to think about how she wanted to live her life.
“Nothing wakes you up more than the loss of a loved one to show you how you want to live.” She said.
One of the more impactful stories in her book is about her brother-in-law who was diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer’s. It is this common ground that Babs and myself found ourselves sharing the purpose of JOY and a life lived with meaning.
Babs’ brother-in-law, Bill, was full of life. He lived with meaning, purpose and curiosity. One day Babs asked if he had always been this way, to which Bill responded, no. When he hit mid-point in his life he looked at where he was, what he had become and actively made the decision to change. He decided to choose JOY.
Because of this decision to choose JOY, he continued to carry that special sparkle, even as his dementia progressed.
Our mind and spirit is a powerful thing.
Personally, it’s not always easy. It’s hard, it’s frustrating, it’s emotional but we press onward and upwards with a clear path of choosing JOY. And with this path, one we can walk on together, it is only fitting that I encourage you this month to support and join us at Forethought Planning as we work to end Alzheimer’s.
You are invited to join our team for our virtual participation, make a donation, or be a corporate sponsor. The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to finding a cure and we at Forethought Planning walk every year to support this cause!
GET IN TOUCH WITH BABS
Website: www.babsplunkett.com
Instagram: @babs.plunkett
Securities offered through LPL Financial, a member of FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered through Advisors’ Pride, a SEC registered investment advisor. LPL Financial, Advisors’ Pride, Forethought Planning and the guests of Thrive For[e]ward podcast are separate and unaffiliated parties. Any of the parties listed above are not affiliated with Forethought Planning, Advisor’s Pride, or LPL Financial. The views expressed here are those of the participants, and not those of Forethought Planning, Advisor’s Pride, or LPL financial. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. LPL Financial and Forethought Planning do not offer legal services.
