Every Christmas, we head to California to visit my college friends Torrey McClary and Elissa Brown and Rich’s parents. This year, after an evening of wine and steak, I set out for an early morning run in Manhattan Beach.
The cool winter haze hung in the air, and as I ran, a question nagged at me:
What am I missing?
I’ve been reflecting on my 2025 goals, but the vision isn’t clear.
- I’ve been nagging my younger daughter to write songs to explore a potential music career full of risk.
- Meanwhile, my older daughter is considering investment management—a field I know intimately.
What example can I set to teach my younger daughter about developing talent to reduce the uncertainties of her career?
As I ran, “A Hazy Shade of Winter” by The Bangles from the movie Less Than Zero came to mind.
The lyrics describe a bleak, wintry landscape—a time of reflection and lost opportunities. The singer looks back on life with disappointment and regret.
That thought struck a chord with me: I don’t want to live a life of regret with my kids.
So often, we follow the path we think leads to success but miss something along the way.
How many stories do we hear about people achieving financial success but ending up alone, divorced, and with kids who don’t come home for Christmas?
As I reflect on the lessons I want to teach my kids, I realize life is about family and being authentic—with them and others.
My kids listen to me when I speak from the heart
- when I share my mistakes,
- lessons I learn from work and
- most importantly, how focusing on what makes me unique helped me figure out my pivot.
As we talk about these lessons, Kiki is photographing sea lions, appreciating the sunsets—not rushing to the next destination but slowly discovering her voice.
And in her pace, I see the beauty of embracing the journey, not just the destination.
Stephen King once wrote in On Writing:
"Writing isn’t about making money, getting famous, …. In the end, it’s about enriching the lives of those who will read your work, and enriching your own life, as well. It’s about getting up, getting well, and getting over. .....Writing is magic, as much the water of life as any other creative art. The water is free. So drink. Drink and be filled up."
That quote reminds me why creativity—whether writing, music, or any other art—matters so deeply. It’s not about the end goal but about discovering the magic within ourselves and sharing it with the world.
And as the clouds lift during my run, I see the California dream—not as a destination, but as a reminder: Our talents are our truths. And when we live authentically, we give our children the tools they need to find theirs.
Thank you for reading!
Happy New Year!
Tiffany Kent
Your Friendly Wealth Engagement Guide
Disclosures: Past performance is not indicative of future results. This material is not financial advice or an offer to sell any product. The information contained herein should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security. Forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed.
This commentary offers generalized research, not personalized investment advice. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a complete description of our investment services or performance. Nothing in this commentary should be interpreted to state or imply that past results are an indication of future investment returns. All investments involve risk and, unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with an investment & tax professional before implementing any investment strategy. Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.