The Currency of Wisdom: More Than Just Money
Growing up, I received plenty of birthday cards with money inside. And like most kids, I spent it quickly - on things I can’t even remember now. But what I do remember, and what I still have, are many of those cards themselves - some dating back 25 years.
The money is long gone. But the words? They’ve stayed with me. The handwriting, the small notes of encouragement, the bits of wisdom - sometimes just a sentence or two - offer a glimpse into the people behind them. In a way, they’re still with me.
It’s easy to give money. It’s easy to put a bill in a card, check off a box, and move on. And when we think about what we want to pass down to the next generation, it’s often the financial side of things we focus on - money, assets, estate plans. Those things matter, of course. But they aren’t the whole picture.
Because the truth is, money fades. Investments fluctuate. But wisdom?
Wisdom compounds.
The stories we share, the values we pass down, the lessons we take the time to document - those become guideposts for tomorrow. They provide comfort, clarity, and direction long into the future.
And yet, we don’t always think to share these things while we’re here. We wait for the “right moment,” or we assume our insights don’t matter enough to be written down or recorded. But if we stop to think about the wisdom we wish we had from those who came before us, we realize just how valuable it is.
What if we treated wisdom like a legacy investment? What if, alongside financial planning, we made it a priority to pass down our perspectives, stories, and lessons - not just in moments of crisis, but throughout life?
Because at the end of the day, wealth fades. But words - when shared with meaning and intention - can last for generations.
What’s one piece of wisdom you’ve received that has stayed with you?
Let’s start documenting it together. If you’re not sure where to begin, we’re here to help - your wisdom is worth preserving.