Over the years I have written countless blogs on a wide range of subjects, and it's very rare that I source content from elsewhere. Today I received an email from a customer that inspired me to share in this forum, and I was grateful he provided me permission to do so.

The following is from This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and Managing Broker at Merit Partners, LLC in Northbook Illionois. I hope you enjoy his New Year thoughts as much as I did.

Dear Ken,

At last, 2022 is here. As I said in one of my Advice From The Ice episodes, we WILL get through this…and we HAVE, for the most part. We’ve traveled this journey in many different boats, through both heavy and light swells. These last two years, I discovered what Aldous Huxley once said:

“Experience is not what happens to you, it is what you do with what happens to you.”

Like it or not, a new way of life is upon us and probably will remain, in varying degrees, in all sectors: business, social, political, the commercial real estate world, you name it.

My thoughts are simple: forget the bad and try to make good. Do what you can for your family, friends, contacts and trusted influencers; THEN help yourselves. As I found, you get a heckuva lot more when you give than always trying to receive. 

I am forever grateful for my family and friends, our clients, customers and trusted advisors, more than you can ever realize…THANK YOU. 

As stated so well by my friend and colleague, Dan Benassi SIOR, in his firm’s April 2020 message:

“We believe we also have a social responsibility to not take advantage of a crisis for personal gain.”

I agree: this stuck with me and informed my actions throughout most of the past two years…and it should guide you as well in 2022 and beyond. 

So start the New Year with more hope and positive action AND attitude. Think hard about what you do and be intentional each and every day. Follow the Golden Rule: do what you can to help your neighbors, your favorite service providers, stores and vendors, and treat them like you’d want them to treat you. 

Reach out and talk, authentically and genuinely, and offer help to those who are less fortunate or in need. You’ll receive the most satisfaction you can ever imagine. And most importantly, bring as many others into your boat as you can. That way, more of us will reach solid ground safely. 

Here’s wishing you, your loved ones, families and friends a most Happy, Healthy and BETTER 2022!

With much gratitude,

David

Thanks David. We certainly have been challenged in many ways the last two years, but taking stock of what's important is always a valuable exercise. I hope those who time to read your thoughts today get as much from them as I did.

Happy New Year!.