Is it just me, or do most people seem friendlier and happier at this time of year?

Frank Capra movies and other classics like "Miracle on 34th Street" are my favourite part of the holidays.

But my all time favourite is "It’s A Wonderful Life" starring James Stewart, and it is especially relevant following 2 years of this miserable COVID plague.

My dear friend and mentor Paul Goldstein , an inspiration for over 20 years, has shared many words of wisdom with me.

Paul earned that right as a Holocaust survivor, insurance industry icon for 40 consecutive years, attaining his PhD at age 86 and becoming a published author now at age 88.

He told me he wants a specific quote engraved on his headstone after 120.

The quote comes from Pericles, a Greek statesman and builder of the Acropolis in Athens who died in 429 BC:

“What You Leave Behind Is Not What Is Engraved In Stone Monuments, But What Is Woven Into The Lives Of Others”.

This ancient wisdom, which has endured for more than 2500 years, today resonates even more. It's never been more important now then ever, to share this philosophy with our families, our community and through the work we do with our businesses.

We are fortunate to see it play out with our generous clients, the charities and foundations we work with and the special allied professionals that we collaborate with.

Philanthropy is a wonderful shortcut to achieving immortality, with or without names on monuments.

And you don’t need be a Warren Buffet or Bill Gates to really matter to someone, or matter to an organization you are passionate about.

Wishing everyone a wonderful Holiday Season and HEALTHY and HAPPY 2022!