Current wisdom suggests that we should have a list of all of our assets and corresponding values. Apparently, this preparation could become handy if we are faced with future insurance claims.
On March 31, an F2 tornado paid a quick and devastating visit to Manchester, Iowa putting down a few memories only blocks from my current residence. No one was hurt, but some enormous tree roots were evidence of the toppling of very old trees. Sheets of bright blue tarps are still seen around the areas where violent winds removed sections of roofing and siding. I think that most of the commercial buildings have since been repaired.
And even with this near miss, I still need to gather pen and paper to create my asset list. My procrastination will not be rewarded.
Although remaining negligent, the thought has crossed my mind at various times during the past couple of months. I suspect that I would include things like:
- 2016 Subaru Forester
- Hybrid Bed and Frame
- Dresser
- Gaggia Pro Espresso Maker
- HDTV
- A Lenovo T460
- A Dell Inspiron Laptop
- Canon Printer
- Computer peripherals
- A couple of 15" Monitors
- Work station
- iPhone
- Kitchen Table and Chairs
- Appliances
- Work station
- Couches and Recliner
- End Tables
- Clothes
- I guess I could continue
Along with these fleeting thoughts to get cracking or accept future losses, I started thinking about the assets themselves. It's not difficult to make a list of these physical items that we all collect during our lives. But these things are not our only assets. I good description of the word from Seth Godin states that
"Assets are ownable. They are devices, skills, connections or properties that allow us to amplify our effort and do our work with more impact.
"A drill press is an asset, and so is your law degree. The permission you have to talk with your customers, the benefit of the doubt you get from your patients, and the freedom to expand into a new territory are all assets."
Seth speaks of assets in the scope of work. We are not limited to this narrow definition, however.
Yes, a law degree is an asset. It was bought and paid for and supplied the knowledge necessary to charge a fee to represent others in a legal arena. It provides a good living. But the law degree is not the only thing that contributes to this particular occupation.
I know people who have this degree and practice law. I know people who have this degree and do not practice law. It seems that in many cases, there is more that is required to sustain the ability to be effective.
There are inner psychological necessities needed as well. A defense attorney needs to be able to put aside moral judgments in order to provide convincing arguments to a jury so as to present the best defense possible for the client. A prosecutor will have to put aside some forms of compassion and understanding to follow the letter of the law in an attempt to obtain a conviction. Both are necessary for our form of legal justice.
We can pay for education. We will buy the proper and necessary tools. We will work with various marketing methods to expose our goals, ambitions, and offerings to others who will pay us for our work.
In spite of all we might do, the example above clearly indicates that not all of us can be lawyers. Not all of us could be doctors. Not all of us could be teachers, child-care professionals, plumbers, or even baristas. Some of us live in fear of public speaking and others will be entertaining and influential masters of this art. These assets were not due to education alone. Some of this was due to circumstances. These would be things like
- Where and when you entered the world,
- Who your parents were,
- What schools were available to you as a child,
- What influences a teacher or mentor might have had,
- Whether you are an extrovert or an introvert,
- Whether you are male or female,
- Whether you are healthy or sick,
- Whether you are oppressed or free.
- What exposure you had to knowing God,
I am convinced that it would be impossible to create a list of these assets. We didn't purchase them, and we would find it difficult to assign a value to them.
Hopefully, I will get around to creating the asset list for insurance.
Prayerfully, I will try to recognize and appreciate the thousands of God-provided assets that have made me who I am. I could even start with something as "simple" as the next breath.
And maybe, I can spend some time with the Book of Job this week.
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