Sunday, June 8, 2014

The Future

Perhaps there is something cosmically aligned just so, but we too, like many other bloggers, have found ourselves fine tuning and rearranging the "large stones" in place towards what our upcoming life will look like.  As we grow as people, each phase reveals itself like fog lifting and this latest rendition has been the clearest yet.

Aspects that were not acceptable have miraculously become exciting.  It wasn't necessarily the specifics of the plan, it has been us evolving reminding me that there are never "perfect" answers, only what makes sense now (assuming sound principles).  Plus a corresponding amount of gratefulness for even being able to express ourselves in such a way.  I cannot forget just how fortunate we are.

Surprisingly I have been finding that aspect not frustrating at all.  I credit the visits to developing countries easing my need to squeeze every detail out into minutiae.  I'm going with the flow better than I could ever imagine.  This has been one of the biggest and proudest personal developments I've made this year. 

On the other hand, D has been struggling greatly with his work.  Ever since coming back from out west last summer, the gap between his current role and where he would like to be has been glaring, creating a huge amount of dissatisfaction.  His work environment has become increasingly caustic and I have detected negative changes in his demeanor to the point where it has been affecting me.  Not good.

There is pride involved I understand.  But I draw the line at health.  No amount of money is worth exchanging it for and I believe he is seeing it now (significant number of the team are on stress leave).  I wouldn't not encourage him to see it anyways.  His tension level is at an all time high and is unsustainable.  There is an unacceptable amount of negativity for a role that isn't changing the world for the better.

And because he works 2 days a week at home whereby I'm around for at least half the time, I will not tolerate that atmosphere being created under our roof.  If it cannot be resolved in the long term, then a change will have to be made.  At this point, neither of us are scared of change.

My office building has been sold.  It firmed up while I was in Vietnam.  Am waiting for future lease details.  Have a plan B should need be.  Not losing sleep over it.  I've seen the future building plans and it looks exciting.  Am interesting in being a part of it, should everything make sense.

However I do hope to sleep much better on this next journey than my last.  That one flight I need to take this year to maintain status I booked during my 3 days of alertness in Hanoi?  Well, it has arrived.  Just dawned on me recently that there isn't one place I'm going to this year that doesn't involve high levels of heat and carrying my own toilet paper.  What a change from last year. 

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Trust Management

I've been asked by friends to be a co-administrator of a trust set up for their kids should something untoward happen.  Am totally flattered.  They have hinted about D and I being godparents as well.

As I tend to approach most requests that come my way seriously, I've replied with a number of questions ranging from basic framework, logistics to what values were they hoping to impart about money, so we could all determine if this would be a good fit.  My role would only come into play when large amounts are involved.

I'm not sure how the rest of the family will respond to a potential outsider being involved.  I've read enough books about estate planning to appreciate the complexities and emotions that can arise.  In my mind, the more thought and detail we work through in advance, the easier it will be to act on directions without interference from differing personal values.  The other person is quite different from me.

Their motivation for asking me stems from the impression that I am able to manage money in a reasonable way.  Whereas their respective siblings and family members on both sides do not have a great track record and could be trusted to interpret a sudden appearance of a sizable sum of money as opportunity for personal gain.

I have zero problem with standing firm to protect those kids.  However the most tricky aspect is that the guardians for these children will likely end up being said family members...