Below is a guest post by Lynn Lambrecht of The Living Planner©. Lynn’s personal mission is to take the guesswork out of the unexpected by making sure that people feel confident and in control of their future. One of her tools for doing so is via her Living Planner Print Book. In this workbook, Lynn walks you through the process of preparing now for your end of life while you are living. You’ll find such topics as banking matters, estate planning, wills and trusts, power of attorney and other end of life planning topics.
As a culture, we aren’t necessarily taught to plan for our passing or to talk about death. However, when we do so, we give a gift to all who survive us. Personally, having had instances where I did not know if I would ‘be here‘ in two minutes due to severe breathing issues, or when doctors ‘had problems‘ with my breathing while I was on the operating table, I prefer to look at each day as a gift, a gift to be shared. I often remind myself of a quote of my own, that came to me while walking by the sea back in 2018. “It is only in my willingness to die, that I can truly live.”
For this reason, I highly recommend Lynn’s book. Though we have become friends due to our penchant for life and so many other similiarities, I am in no way receiving any affiliate income or benefits from recommending this book. Below you will find Lynn’s story and understand her deep desire to help you experience peace through planning. I hope you accept this gift of inner peace and how this type of planning supports living the BalanceUP® Lifestyle.
The Patchwork Quilt of Life
Gifts come wrapped in a variety of ways. There are gift bags, boxes, wrapped, unwrapped, bows or no bows. Life too can present a variety of experiences.
The term “the patchwork quilt of life” was an analogy I used as for the second time in my life and professional career, I stepped back from “the job” to care for a parent as they were in the final descent of their life. Years earlier, I returned from working and living in Asia to assist with a parent. Now, I returned from working and living in Canada for my remaining parent.
As the youngest child born 13+ years after the oldest child in my family, I had a different perspective than my older siblings, as I arrived well after my parents’ youth. My perspective and my life experiences were shaped differently than theirs. No longer were my parents in the “we have all of life ahead of us” stage of life; instead, the older middle age stage of life, there was less enthusiasm, more worry and angst.
Responsibility and independence came easily to me. As the youngest, I could stand out with my resourcefulness, zest, inquisitiveness and congenial personality and form the “oldest of the second generation” persona.
Sensing a Need that Comes Naturally to Me
Watching, listening and “sensing” what others said (and didn’t say) and did (and didn’t do) was a guide for me to learn what may “work” for me. Experiencing life, illness, accidents and death came early in my life. It seemed “normal” and “natural” for the polarity of life/death and everything in between. Conversations were framed from the “medical/health care perspective” with a family of those professions surrounding me. Yet … how we felt about these things was avoided.
Having learned a combined focus from my educational choices, residence hall living and RA/Head Res experiences, business experiences, service and relational inclination, I embarked on quite a journey in aviation. My career choice was different from my family. Selecting a career in aviation brought joy to me. Interacting with businesses and government agencies in the travel sector fit me! Reading about people and places far different from my life experience from the time I was four – I was ready for the freedom, experiences and exploration of the world.
Being relational mattered most to me; transactions seemed so impersonal to me. We all matter. We wish as humans to be seen, heard and valued. Leading with a “service heart” is who I am. When I was asked to volunteer to be an emergency team responder, as I started my 1st airline job, I said yes.
Working Two Airplane Crashes and 9/11
What I hadn’t known then that I do now is that working two airplane crashes in my 20’s and 9/11 in my early 40’s would be instrumental in doing what I do today. I understand deeply how people: a) would prefer not to discuss or think about “it” – that “it” being subject to personal or family accident or mortality issues; and b) how lives are forever changed when “something” happens to forever change life as it was known.
Instantaneous loss or change is so hard for anyone. Adding a component of having no idea how to conduct day to day life, adds a component of fear that disallows people from their grief and propels them into overwhelm, freeze, pain and confusion. This is what makes me sad.
The Living Planner – Filling a Gap
In my fifth decade armed with global business experience, experience working amidst personal and professional tragedy, and familiarity with the various professionals who can assist us with implementing ways to protect ourselves, I embarked on a new journey. It was important for me to participate in something meaningful, fulfilling and measureable. Taking time to evaluate, dream and vision it all out (even when I didn’t find anyone else doing this!), I formed The Living Planner©. The Living Planner© was created to fill a gap in the US.
The gap exists for the 60% of Americans who’ve yet to complete a will/trust, assign medical powers of attorney, document their advanced directives, name guardianship for their children, understand what protection policies would help them, establish contingency plans for their businesses/employees and document the important stuff for home/work.
A Holistic Approach to End of Life Planning
There are excellent professionals who address a segment of life (accounting, financial planning, insurance, law, medical, funerals, etc.). Yet I hadn’t found the “free agent” who helped people and businesses strategize about the “whole” impact of the if/then’s… so I became that person!
This journey of advocacy and consulting frees me to use all of my experiences gained in life and provide this “free agent” view of strategies for their unique situations. No, I’m not receiving commissions for sold policies or plans. It’s important for me that people understand the basic premise behind each of the professions and services offered in terms they understand.
Talking about and covering things people would prefer not to hear is my proactive work and services to help them in advance of the “emergency”. People deserve to know what’s at stake and what’s in risk by not preparing for what I’ve seen and been through from the many emergency situations I’ve experienced. Becoming ready to be ready is freeing, empowering and provides such relief to those responding to when it’s all needed.
The deep appreciation I have received from clients drive me forward to find new ways to help tem take care of planning for anything life hands them. Stay well all, know yourself and you’ll know your way moving forward!
Reach out with any questions to: Lynn@thelivingplanner.com
Disclaimer: We make no representations with respect to the accuracy or to the completion by any content, links or resources shared, including those shared by third parties. The advice and strategies being provided may not be suitible for your situation. No legal advice is being given. No liability or damages will take place because of this content. Your use of this site confirms your agreement that Florida law applies to all disputes relating to this site.
Comments are closed.