FROM THE FRONT PORCH con't. next column
Edward T. Hill, CFP®
Edward Hill Wealth Management
FINDING A CFP con't. p. 9
FROM THE FRONT PORCH continued
How Are You?
by Rebekah King
How are you? No, really How. Are. YOU? We
ask this question every single day. These 3 little
words, used so easily, so often and with so much
meaning or maybe not so much, can mean the
world. Here in the South one can enter any
downtown shop, pass another in the grocery
aisle, make a phone call and hear, “How are
you?” many times over. I like these little words.
Whenever I make the rounds with the
Pinehurst Gazette, the meaning of How are You
is different with each opened door. Sometimes
the answer is the ready response of, “Fine thank
you. How are you?” And sometimes, a deeper
response replies, “Now that’s a complicated
question! How much time do you have?” Ha!
From casual to the concerned, the questions
follow the friendship.
How I love catching up with my clients! I call
them, “My people.” I respect them. I understand
them. We are in this together, and I love hearing
their ideas, thoughts, dreams and vision as
we catch up over family and friends. One dear
family just said goodbye to a beloved matriarch
of 94 years while another family welcomed
a son full of hope and promise that comes
with a brand–new life. Life moments telling of
celebrations and ceremonies that build life flow
from the simple, “How are you?”
The meaningful, “How are You’s” require
a visit of at least 30 minutes wherein a quiet
office, a welcomed seat, a catching up over tears,
laughter, concern and cheer record the raw and
real moments that create lasting relationships.
The kind of friendships that are 24/7, day or
night, any time, any where, for anything. Those.
The ones wherein we have each other’s backs!
Done. We’ve got each other—this is community—
this is looking out for one another; this is what
it’s all about.
Whenever we face our own struggles, we may
feel all alone as if we are the only ones going
through a difficult time. For some reason, we
look at others and think, “WOW! They have it
all together.” Maybe we gather this notion from
their looks, their car, their home, their position,
their social media posts—you know those
superficials which distract from the real. We
tend to think, “If only I had this or that, then...”
From my experience, I have found that
everyone has a story. Everyone has a cross to
bear. Everyone has a wound that needs healing.
Everyone has something that needs a hug, a
friend, a listening ear. And if we take the time
to listen, then the answers to the How are You’s
flow. And somehow when we choose to open our
hearts, then our burdens lighten in the sharing.
I’m reminded of a top story that embraced
the 2020 New Year, you know the Royal story of
Harry and Meghan? We all imagine the fairytale
life of castles, carriages, estates, money and
fame... but if we take the time to listen, then we
hear the tune of another tale. Not for one second
do I pretend to grasp the complexity of another’s
life, but I do realize that, no matter our heritage,
all of humanity feels, needs, cares, wants and
yearns for another to look deep into their soul
and ask, “How are you?”
Once a Royal, always a Royal, Meghan’s words
stay with me...“Not many people have asked if
I’m OK.” This! Surrounded by fame, family and
the “fairytale,” —this!
During an I TV news documentary with Tom
Bradby, Meghan and Harry open up and share
from the heart. The interview follows:
Tom Bradby: He’s (Harry’s) obviously very
concerned about protecting you and protecting
you from what he felt his mother went through.
It’s obviously an area one has to tiptoe into very
gently, but I don’t know the impact on your
physical and mental health of all the pressure
you clearly feel under.
Meghan Markle: I would say, look any
woman, especially when they’re pregnant,
you’re really vulnerable, and so that was made
really challenging and then when you have a
newborn. You know?
TB: It’s a long time ago, but I remember. Yeah.
MM: “And especially as a woman, it’s a lot,
so you add this on top of just trying to be a new
mum, or trying to be a newlywed, it’s… yeah,
well I guess and thank you for asking, because
not many people have asked if I’m OK. But it’s
a very real thing to be going through behind the
scenes.
TB: And the answer is would it be fair to say,
not really OK, as in it’s really been a struggle?
MM: Yes.
TB: Do you feel at peace in a way yet, or is it
still a sort of wound that festers?
Prince Harry: I think probably a wound that
festers. I think being part of this family and in
this role and this job, every single time I see a
camera, every single time I hear a click, every
single time I see a flash, it takes me straight
back. So in that respect, it’s the worst reminder
of her life as opposed to the best. Being here now
22 years later, trying to finish what she started
will be incredibly emotional. But everything I do
reminds me of her. But as I said, with the role,
with the job and the sort of the pressures that
come with that, I get reminded of the bad stuff
unfortunately.
Meghan’s, “Not many people have asked if
I’m OK.” And Prince Harry’s, “I think probably
a wound that festers...” Amidst the fame, the
fortune, the family—This!
News reports give numbers of rising stats on
loneliness, substance abuse and suicide. Not to
mention the Coronavirus, the shaky, tumbling
stock market, international trade war tensions,
the upcoming national election, etc—the ups
and downs of life keep rolling.
In a world of 7.5 billion, the universality of
humanity flows throughout nations, countries,
states, counties and into towns and villages like
our very own. No matter our diversity, we share
the same longings of the heart—to feel love,
respect, kindness with the basic needs of food,
clothing and shelter met. And we need each
other. We need to look out for our neighbors,
check in with a shut–in, give that friend a call. We
need to look deep, get real and be the one who
slows down to ask, “How are you?” And better
yet, be the one who takes the time to listen. ☐
Finding A CFP®
Professional
by Ed Hill, CFP
Choosing a Certified Financial Planner may
be one of the most important decisions you
make for yourself and your family. Ask your
family and friends to recommend any CFP®
professionals with whom they may have worked.
CFP® professionals must pass the
comprehensive CFP® Certification Exam, which
tests their abilities to apply financial planning
knowledge to real-life situations. The exam covers
the financial planning process, tax planning,
employee benefits and retirement planning,
estate planning, investment management and
insurance. This comprehensive exam ensures
that a CFP® professional is highly qualified to
develop a plan for your finances.
CFP® professionals complete several years
of experience related to delivering financial
planning services to clients prior to earning the
right to use the CFP® certification trademarks.
This hands-on experience guarantees that
CFP® professionals have practical financial
planning knowledge, so you can count on them
to help you create a realistic financial plan that
fits your individual needs.
The Rules of Conduct require CFP®
professionals to put your interests ahead of their
own at all times and to provide their financial
planning services as a “fiduciary”—acting in the
best interest of their financial planning clients.
CFP® professionals are subject to CFP Board
sanctions if they violate these standards.
They understand all the complexities of the
changing financial climate, and they know how
to make recommendations in your best interest.
THE FINANCIAL PLANNING PROCESS
Coming up with a solid financial plan means
doing some homework—both on your part
and the part of your CFP® professional. From
examining your current situation, to setting
goals, to deciding how to measure your progress,
a CFP® professional is uniquely qualified to take
you through the financial planning process. In
six steps, you and your CFP® professional will:
1. Agree on how to work together. Your
CFP® professional will explain the services he’ll
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