Wealth & Fulfillment is a passion project. I feel called to write it after spending nearly my entire adult life in the wealth management world—and coming to terms with how common misconceptions about money leave a trail of anguish in many people’s lives.
I love writing from the heart, challenging our culture’s assumptions about money, success, and what makes life worth living. It’s very satisfying to me to express in words what I have learned from decades in business and many encounters with clients.
I enjoy examining the powerful, sometimes insidious, role money plays in our lives. Writing helps me live more intentionally. It’s also my attempt to leave a legacy of wisdom for my children and grandchildren, ready for them to find when the time is right.
I hope you see your own experience in mine. I hope this blog nudges you to consider how to use your wealth to build a more loving and satisfying life.
I was a business owner for nearly 30 years. Early on, I learned to pay close attention to numbers: revenue, expenses, client growth, and retention. These metrics helped my brother and me build a profitable business that could withstand hard times.
Old habits die hard.
Recently, I noticed that same business mindset creeping into how I think about the blog. I began paying too much attention to subscriber counts and growth trends. I found myself wondering: Should I write more about technical wealth management? Should I avoid topics that might upset some people?
I started thinking of the blog as a little business, with subscriber growth as my new profit metric.
But that’s not what this is. Wealth & Fulfillment is not a business. It generates no revenue. Subscriptions are free. I’m not looking to land speaking gigs or launch a coaching practice.
I write this blog for myself, for my family, and for anyone who may find it useful.
Yet, almost without noticing, my old business instincts began shaping my writing.
I started drafting blog posts that I thought would attract more subscribers, instead of writing from the heart. The result? The drafts felt hollow—more like posturing than sharing. Honestly, they were crap.
How did I realize this? I noticed how I felt. Writing those drafts left me empty, frustrated, even angry. What was upsetting me? I sat with my feelings and gave some thought to what was going on.
I got quiet, listening carefully to the part of me that’s raw, emotional, unguarded. Eventually, I heard the answer. I was putting pragmatic business concerns ahead of a deep desire to communicate my own truth. And then it clicked. This isn’t a business–it’s a passion project!
The second half of life isn’t about performance or achievement - it’s about emotional wisdom. It’s about listening to the small, honest voice inside—the one that knows what you love, what gives you peace, and what breaks your heart. It’s not about what the world wants from you. It’s about what your soul longs for.
I’ve been given an extraordinary gift—the physical, intellectual, spiritual, and financial freedom to live life on my own terms. But if I want to use this gift wisely, I need to stay close to what brings me joy, peace, and purpose. I need to listen to what breaks my heart—and what heals it.
These aren’t questions for the intellect. They’re questions for the heart. AI can’t answer them. Neither can spreadsheets. They require stillness, vulnerability, and trust.
I’m a thinker. I like to analyze problems and find the best solution. My wife often reminds me that I’m thinking all the time. It’s definitely one of my signature strengths. But thinking is not the path to discovering my emotional truth.
To access it, I rely on practices like meditation, prayer, therapy, journaling, listening to music, and walking in silence.
If you struggle with accessing your emotions, I don’t know what will work for you. But I encourage you to start somewhere. Take a small step. And if you get stuck, consider working with a therapist.
As for me, I’m stepping away from thinking about blog metrics. I don’t want to relapse into old patterns of using numbers to measure success. I’ve asked my son-in-law, who manages the blog’s social media, to keep an eye on growth and give me occasional updates. That way, I stay connected—but not consumed.
I’m done chasing numbers. I want to follow my heart.
Until our next conversation,
David
Small Steps & Worthy Questions
Take five quiet minutes and ask yourself: What do I long for right now? Don’t judge the answer—just listen. You may have to do this a few times before learning anything. Be patient.
If you used your inner wisdom to guide your actions for one day, what would you do differently?
Keep a journal for one week noting how different activities make you feel—fulfilled, drained, peaceful, or restless?
Your prior posts were "crap?" One man's crap is another's fertilizer. Maybe they didn't speak to your heart in that moment, but each one has valuable truth for your readers. Your thoughts and principles tend to run contrary to our culture's common assumptions. Keep challenging those assumptions.