I know that most of what I share here revolves around real estate, my background as a CFO, or helping people build financial security. But with Christmas next week, and with so many people observing some form of holiday right now, I want to pause and talk about something else. Loss. Compassion. Being human.
This has been a hard year for a lot of people. If you are reading this from the US, the Middle East, Venezuela, Ukraine, or countless other places, that probably feels like an understatement. We spend so much time curating perfection online and publicly, while quietly carrying grief, fear, anger, and exhaustion behind the scenes. We forget that who we are extends far beyond business, opinions, or productivity. This is not about politics. It is about whether we choose empathy and understanding, or selfishness and entitlement.
Most companies avoid conversations like this. They worry about saying the wrong thing or being perceived as controversial. I will never operate that way. Life is too fragile and people matter too much to pretend these realities do not exist.
This time of year always forces me into reflection. I look back and ask myself hard questions. How did I treat people I disagree with? Where did I show up in service of others? Where did I fall short? How can I grow next year so that the legacy I leave behind is rooted in love, not ego? I also think about my dad, and what he would think of the woman I became if he were still here.
This year, those thoughts feel heavier.
A week ago, my papaw, my dad’s dad, passed away. While many people are heading into holiday parties and Christmas celebrations, I will be attending the funeral of someone I was deeply close to, in ways most people never realized. Even within my own family.
So if you are still reading and wondering why I would share something that feels heavy during a season that demands cheer, here is why.
When social media feels especially polished and joyful, remember this.
It is okay to not be okay.
It is okay to hold beliefs and not hide them.
It is okay to stand up for others.
It is okay to care about all people, not just the ones who look like you or live where you do.
It is okay to expect more from those in power.
It is okay to be authentic, even if that costs you clients who prefer comfort over honesty.
It is okay to care more about love, service, and empathy than a paycheck.
Do not let hatred or manufactured perfection make you question love.
I am grieving this year. I am not okay. And yet, I know without hesitation that my papaw, who was often seen as tough and not especially emotional, taught me more about loving others than most people ever will. So did my dad. So did both of my grandmothers. Their lives were not loud, but their impact was deep.
Hug the people you love. Take the time to show kindness to the people you struggle with too. You might learn that love was never meant to come with conditions.
Happy Holidays. Above all else, remember that love is the reason for the season.
Amber
