Giving Thanks for 2025, Personal Reflections

I thought I’d share some reflections on the passing year. These are more personal in nature, rather than economic, financial, or otherwise strictly professional. Yet, I think this is a valuable time to take inventory, give thanks, and prepare for the year ahead. The real substance of life lies in our experiences and personal growth. Money, while important, is just a means to bigger ends.

My planning practice continues to grow nicely, helped along mainly by personal introduction from existing clients. It is a privilege and a compliment when that happens. I am thankful too, for the opportunity to help more people through the work I do, which I consider sacred. I aim not only to help you protect and grow your assets, but also to provide thoughtful prompts and guidance that align your resources with your deepest values. That is what creates a true experience of abundance.

Incidentally, I currently work with about 28 client households on their long-term financial planning, along with a handful of more limited engagements. I expect my practice to ultimately support around 50 full-service clients. I’m still welcoming new people into this work, and I’m grateful when introductions happen organically through relationships. If someone comes to mind who you feel might genuinely benefit from the kind of planning and reflection I offer, I’d be happy to meet them. There’s no expectation here, just an open door in case someone comes to mind.

On a more personal note, this has been a year of growth, loss, and transformation. I am thankful to be in the best place I have been in years when it comes to feelings of peace, well-being, and optimism. But it has also been a year of grief. One of the most important figures of my childhood, I call her my surrogate grandmother, passed away. While expected, it prompted a time of deep reflection and gratitude for me. This woman, Tracy shared with me her love of the outdoors, dogs, and camping. She lived in a high desert climate, as I do now, and I associate the sunny weather and dry air with my childhood visits to see her in Redmond, Oregon. I also remember my sister and I as kids feeling enchanted with her border collies, and we begged our parents to let us get a dog (and we got one!). Then, this year, in one of life’s ironic twists, I ended up taking over the care of another friend’s border collie at his passing.

That friend, Mark was incredibly kind, peaceful, and gracious. He provided my first sense of family and belonging when I moved to Albuquerque. Nearly 70 when I met him, he was a loving mentor and friend. We shared side by side spiritual journeys, and the growth I saw in him was just remarkable and inspiring. He faced his own death with rare equanimity and courage. Our group of friends were shown, through him, a graceful way to walk that final portion of the journey, which transcended fear to rest in cosmic oneness. What a gift that was! And my whole friendship with him, a gift.

And finally, my ex-wife Michelle passed away unexpectedly. We were together 10 years and shared a lot of the hardest parts of life together. I have many fond, loving memories of her, and am thankful for the time we shared. Post-divorce, we had a few kind, sweet, and sad conversations. Even though we had parted ways, it was still a loss. She was a special person to me. I especially feel for her dad, stepmom, mom, and of course, her friends who loved her as dearly as anyone.

As you might imagine, I feel like I spent a lot of this last year grieving and trying to make sense of life. I have come to believe that there is a hereafter, and that it is good. My friend Mark in particular reported some encouraging experiences from “piercing the veil.” When I prayed over Michelle and Tracy, I got a sense of their spirits freed from earthly fears, restrictions, and pain. A beautiful, unrestricted sense of their purest selves. I wish them well in the next phase of their journeys, wherever it leads.

Yet I also dwelled heavily on thoughts like, “why am I here?” The answer that occurs to me is of an entirely different dimension from what I once imagined. A couple years ago, I might have replied that the point of life is to get married, have kids, have a career, make a lot of money, get rich, retire, and enjoy as many experiences as possible along the way. In other words, to do and accomplish. Yet that does not satisfy when I sense strongly that my life could end at any time. My accomplishments and my own life situation mean almost nothing (just dust in the wind, dude). All I’ll leave behind of lasting value is what I gave of myself in this life. How did I impact others? Were my relationships loving and uplifting? My love, without conditions? Did I bring a sense of peace, joy, and presence? Was I kind? It’s not what I did, it’s how I lived and what I gave away. Consequently, I’m thankful for life in a way I couldn’t have imagined before.

Thanks to all of you who are sharing this journey of life with me. It is such a gift to share it, to have connection and purpose, to have the opportunity to be of service, and to have love.

Thank you all. Wishing you a beautiful year ahead!

Love,

Nicholas

PS: On a week to week basis, here are some of the things I most enjoy, which I believe are in the direction of living well, and for which I am most thankful. I’m curious to hear what moves the needle for you, so feel free to share with me at nicholaspihl(at)gmail.com