July 2023 Blog Week 4

The Art of Family Decision-Making: Balancing Unity and Healthy Relationships

Family dynamics are an intricate web, whereby family decision-making can often become a delicate balancing act. While prioritizing the well-being and success of the family as a whole, it is equally important to intentionally build and maintain healthy relationships among its members. Making decisions that align with the family’s goals and values while building unity and preserving harmonious connections requires thoughtful consideration and effective strategies.

Effective Communication a Key to Better Family Decision-Making

Communication can either positively or negatively impact how effectively your family grows and maintains healthy relationships. It is a foundational piece to any family office, particularly when it comes to making decisions for the good of the family and explaining why these are the decisions that are being made. Within this communication, it is essential to recognize and navigate the interplay between individual needs and the collective welfare. Each family member brings their own aspirations, perspectives, and desires to the table, which can sometimes lead to conflicting viewpoints. Understanding the underlying motivations and aspirations of each family member is crucial for finding common ground and making decisions that serve the greater good of the family. When noticing any pushback, allow space for emotions to come forth, letting all family members be heard. In the end, tie all decisions back to the larger family vision and values, clearly detailing why a decision is being made the way it is.

Building Trust and Collaboration in Family Decision-Making

Trust and collaboration are essential elements for successful decision-making within families. By cultivating trust and fostering collaborative relationships, families can make informed decisions while maintaining harmonious relationships.

Strong collaboration leverages the diverse skills, knowledge, and experiences within the family to make informed decisions. By working together, family members can tap into their collective wisdom and expertise, leading to more robust and well-rounded outcomes. Collaborative decision-making involves actively seeking input from all family members, ensuring that everyone has a voice in the process. This inclusive approach fosters a sense of ownership and shared responsibility for the decisions made.

Clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and decision-making frameworks that take into account each person’s strengths and interests provides structure and clarity. This transparency helps to minimize misunderstandings, reduce conflicts, and promote effective decision-making. By adhering to agreed-upon processes, families can navigate decision-making with a sense of fairness and ensure that everyone’s input is considered and respected.

Balancing Individual Autonomy and Collective Responsibility

Striking a balance between individual autonomy and collective responsibility is a fine line in family decision-making. It is crucial to understand that diversity of perspectives can lead to innovative and well-rounded outcomes. By acknowledging and valuing the unique perspectives, values, and desires of each family member, decision-making becomes enriched with a variety of insights and ideas. Embracing this diversity fosters an environment where creativity flourishes and new possibilities are explored. It encourages family members to actively engage in the decision-making process, feeling valued and respected for their individual contributions. This sense of empowerment strengthens the family’s commitment to the larger family vision and desired outcomes, as everyone has a voice in shaping the final decision.

Respecting individual autonomy also means recognizing the importance of personal growth and development within the family. Each family member has their own aspirations and goals, and honoring their autonomy allows them to pursue their individual paths while still maintaining a sense of collective responsibility. By encouraging family members to pursue their passions and interests, decision-making becomes an opportunity for personal growth and self-expression. This balance between individual autonomy and collective responsibility ensures that family decisions are not only beneficial for the family as a whole but also support the individual well-being and fulfillment of each family member.

The intricacies of family decision-making while considering both your financial objectives and the well-being of each individual can be a tricky road to navigate. Having a committed external party support you in these conversations can lead to greater understanding within your family unit. At Beacon Family Office of Assante Financial Management, we recommend that you work with an advisor who specializes in bridging financial considerations with your unique family dynamics so you can make well-informed decisions that best serve your family’s interests. To learn more about what this can look like, connect with us for an initial conversation about what you and your family are looking to achieve.

How to Make the Most of the Holiday Season in Calgary

‘Tis the season to indulge in too much sugar, spend time with family, and help those in need. With Christmas just around the corner, there’s so much happening in and around the city to help you embrace the magic of the season. This year, get out and make the most of the holiday season in Calgary with these suggestions.

Shop Early

We all know that the holidays bring a flurry of activity in malls, stores, and markets across the city. Leaving the shopping list to the last minute is always a regretful situation when you have to endure the crowds and long line-ups. To avoid the chaos, get out as early as possible to get a jumpstart on your shopping. Not only will there be more selection, but there will also be more parking and fewer crowds to navigate!

Make Time for Family

Life gets busy, which means we don’t always have as much time as we’d like to spend with our loved ones. That’s why the holidays are an ideal opportunity to rest, recharge, and spend some quality time with family and friends. Meet up for brunch dates, host an app and cocktail party, or cook Christmas dinner to carve out time and catch up with everyone.

Support Local Markets

The holidays are all about embracing the magical, light-strewn settings, the nostalgia from our childhood, and the quaint, cozy markets that pop up across Calgary during this time of year. With so many Christmas markets to explore, you and the family can sip on hot cocoa, find one-of-a-kind, hand-made goods, and support local artisans while creating new memories together.

Give Back

Though giving back is essential any time of the year, the holidays are always a healthy reminder of how lucky we are, and how other families and people within our city aren’t so fortunate. Giving back to support your community, whether it’s through charitable donations, volunteering, or inviting your neighbour over to join you for Christmas dinner, are simple ways to help those who are less fortunate.

With our busy schedules and fast-paced lives, it’s essential to learn how to slow down once in a while and appreciate the special moments with family and friends. Merry Christmas and happy holidays from us at The Beacon Group of Assante Financial Management Ltd.!

5 Reasons Why Charitable Gifting is Integral in a Prosperous Community

Charitable giving can do a lot more than help support a family, organization, or group in need — it can help improve the entire community structure for everyone. Here we’ll show you the reasons why charitable gifting is integral in a prosperous community and how you can take advantage of all the benefits of donating to those around in you.

Makes a Lasting Impact

When you make charitable donations, your gift is often pooled with other people’s contributions, which helps create a more significant impact on the group or cause. This results in larger-scale giving which can have a drastic effect on those in your community who receive the donation.

Improves the Health of All

Just because you live in a wealthy community, it doesn’t mean that everyone is flourishing. A bad investment decision, loss of job, or loss of business could put one of your neighbours in a tight money situation. A charitable gift can help those who are struggling. Donating also has been proven to increase feel-good hormones while improving both the nervous and immune systems.

Influences Others to Give too

Charitable gifting is integral in a prosperous community because it sets an example for your peers and increases the overall involvement of those around you. By sharing online or through social media about the causes you support, you can offer your friends and colleagues a little extra motivation to join in and help make your community flourish.

Enhances Business and Service Growth

You don’t just have to donate to people or causes — you can also help a business, project, or school succeed. By giving to your local school district, you could help them start a technology initiative, scholarship, or after school program that they may not have the funding for. Lifting other businesses and public services up is a win-win for everyone.

Brings People Together

Charitable events bring people in the community together. This can help neighbours get to know each other better, fostering healthy relationships and promoting a sense of community spirit.

Fostering charitable work in the community is the right thing to do. It helps those less fortunate or those who have fallen on unexpected hard times. Not only will it make you feel great, but you’ll also feel proud of giving back and helping to make your community a better place to live for all. Are you looking for a way to make a charitable gift but aren’t sure how? Contact us at The Beacon Group of Assante Financial Management Ltd. — we can help teach you about all the possible ways to give back to your community.

Digital Marketing

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

Workplace Distractions

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

Working Together as a Team

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

Daily Routines

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

Marketing Ideas

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

Plan Your Business

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.

Develop Your Startup Ideas

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me, that it might be the mirror of my soul, as my soul is the mirror of the infinite God!

O my friend — but it is too much for my strength — I sink under the weight of the splendor of these visions! A wonderful serenity has taken possession of my entire soul, like these sweet mornings of spring which I enjoy with my whole heart. I am alone, and feel the charm of existence in this spot, which was created for the bliss of souls like mine.

I am so happy, my dear friend, so absorbed in the exquisite sense of mere tranquil existence, that I neglect my talents. I should be incapable of drawing a single stroke at the present moment; and yet I feel that I never was a greater artist than now.

When, while the lovely valley teems with vapor around me, and the meridian sun strikes the upper surface of the impenetrable foliage of my trees, and but a few stray gleams steal into the inner sanctuary, I throw myself down among the tall grass by the trickling stream; and, as I lie close to the earth, a thousand unknown plants are noticed by me: when I hear the buzz of the little world among the stalks, and grow familiar with the countless indescribable forms of the insects and flies, then I feel the presence of the Almighty, who formed us in his own image, and the breath of that universal love which bears and sustains us, as it floats around us in an eternity of bliss; and then, my friend, when darkness overspreads my eyes, and heaven and earth seem to dwell in my soul and absorb its power, like the form of a beloved mistress, then I often think with longing, Oh, would I could describe these conceptions, could impress upon paper all that is living so full and warm within me.