When, on a whim, I looked up the verb to invest the other day, I found myself going down an unexpected path of words, word derivations and definitions that shed more light on the definition most of us know already: to commit money in order to earn a financial return.
But I’ll bet you didn’t know that invest is closely related to the Latin noun investire, which means to clothe. Or to vestment, an ecclesiastical robe or covering. Or to the verb, to vest, which means to grant or endow with a particular right, e.g., a right to pension benefits after a certain period of employment. That’s pretty interesting.
Continuing along the word path, to vest led me to the verb to endow, which led me to endowment, and from endowment to dowry. That was a surprise. There were more, but you get my drift. Most of them have to do with humans worrying about or planning for the future – quite literally about “being clothed” in the future.
It occurs to me that thinking about investing as only having to do with dollars and cents is in itself short-sighted. What about investing in good health habits to create a positive health trajectory for the future? What about investing in lifelong education to remain competitive in the job market? What about investing quality time with your family and friends to create a loving support system in the future? What about getting help from a counselor or coach to move you through a bad situation?
“I don’t have time” or “maybe tomorrow” or “I can’t afford it” are common, but not- always-wise answers to these investment matters. But think about this: a good life doesn’t happen all by itself. It requires our active management, wise decisions, and making good investments – of all kinds – for the future.
Our dear Bonnie Bonetti-Bell was the force behind our Career/Life Coaching services, until her passing in 2019. As a principal of our firm, Bonnie had an innate talent for seeing the best in people. Moreover, she helped others see the best in themselves. Bonnie is fondly remembered and deeply missed.