THE MONEY MINUTE: A dose of positivity goes a long way

by Jac M. Arbour CFP®, ChFC®
President, J.M. Arbour Wealth Management

What a world, huh? One day we are cranking along, humming and whistling, and the next, the brakes are screeching and seemingly everything comes to a halt. Life can change quickly.

We have all faced adversity at some point and when we do, it is important to check in with ourselves and examine the lens through which we are viewing life and the experiences we encounter.

In China, the symbol for crisis has duality; it means both danger and opportunity. My good friend and mentor, Harvey Mackay, says that when adversity strikes and “cool heads prevail, opportunity wins most of the time.” Furthermore, it has been said by many writers that opportunity is often times disguised in rags and looks like work.

Around three thousand years ago, Homer wrote that “adversity has the effects of eliciting talents which in prosperous circumstances would have lain dormant.” Today, we see this remains true. Just look at what is happening around you within Maine manufacturing companies.

Companies who make industrial flooring installation kneepads are utilizing their stock materials to make face shields to protect medical personnel. The shields were designed, prototyped, and on the assembly line within weeks of the initial idea.

A company that makes tongue suppressors was asked by the U.S. government to make up to 50 million swabs for medical America. And they are chipping away at it.

Manufacturing plants that use to make “A” are now making “Z” upon the desire to jump in with both feet and do their part to help those in need. From helping supply food to hungry children, to converting their industrial spaces to manufacture face masks, Mainers are stepping up in a very big way.

Mother Theresa once said, “I know God will not give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish he didn’t trust me so much.” The same is true for all of us. We are extremely resilient beings and are capable of anything to which we dedicate our minds, hearts, and spirits.

As the pandemic continues, I choose to view life through a lens that looks at how people are positively responding to the crisis around them. People have a ton of beauty within them and as my wonderful mother always says, it is essential to look for the beauty within people.

Here is what I promise: When you look for the beauty within people, you will be rejuvenated by the positivity you see. Take a dose. It goes a long way.

See you all next month.

Jac Arbour CFP®, ChFC®

Jac Arbour is the President of J.M. Arbour Wealth Management. He can be reached at 207-248-6767.

Investment advisory services are offered through Foundations Investment Advisors, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser.