As is tradition whenever I am driving my 7 and 8 year old daughters to school, they request a story from the best story teller they know – their daddy. So the other day, in my best whimsical voice, I begin. “Once upon a time, there was a family of ducks who were enjoying their pond. Suddenly, one of the baby ducks notices something in the water, and it’s a snake!

“Hi, I’m Henry the snake, and I’d like to be your friend.” The little duck didn’t see a problem with this, but oh mama duck sure did. She quickly swooped down, grabbed the snake with her webbed feet, and flew far away and dropped the snake off in the middle of a meadow.

Well, now Henry was scared because he’s never been away from home before. While slithering along a path trying to find his pond, he hears something rushing towards him through the tall grass. His eyes get real big and his heart starts pounding faster and faster. Then, a badger pops out onto the path and starts coming towards him! Poor little Henry doesn’t know what to do and…”

“Daddy, wait!” interrupts the precocious 7-year-old. “Was it a Honey Badger or an American Badger?”

Taking me completely off guard, I can’t help but laugh. Knowing she is inquiring of this because of her love and study of animals and not because of a YouTube sensation is further confirmation to me that I have succeeded in passing my inherent love of nature on to my daughter. This moment of connection between us is a heartwarming memory I will always cherish.

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What may be surprising to you is that I believe this new economic world we are experiencing here in America can be credited with this bonding moment I had with my daughter, and here’s why. It has brought me back home, to my family, to what matters most. In times past, I would most likely be focused on news radio and the latest stock report while my girls sat quietly in the back.

Once I realized the monumental command I felt to pass personal elements of my life down to my children, I started behaving differently. I became more purposeful with my time to ensure my family knew without a doubt I did not take them for granted. I also began placing a higher value on creating memorable experiences with family, friends and loved ones, instead of thinking an expensive gift would suffice. The return on this investment of time is of far greater value to me than a portfolio.

I believe we were all built with a driving force to matter, to leave something behind that acts as our voice when we are no longer here, able to speak for ourselves. This has become so significant in my life, that I now incorporate an additional level of service to my clients by helping them identify and define the tangible (heirlooms, an estate, trusts, a family business, historical family records and cultural background, etc.) and intangible (family rules, affirmations, blessings, ideals, spiritual beliefs, etc.) elements of value that matter most to them.

Only in first identifying that which is most important to us, can we be sure to pass them on to those we love.

The answer I gave my daughter, by the way, was that it was an American Badger.

Even though you may not have a bonding moment with family members over a Badger story, there will be plenty you can connect on if you take the time. So the question remains: Have you taken the time to define what matters most to you? If not, what does the right time look like for you to decide what matters most? After all, you’ve got all the time in the world.

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Links of Interest:

Small Business Strategies

Life Multiplier Tools

Plan First

The Company Coach Story

The Company Coach = The Collaborative Coach