The Power of Positives

Invest In Yourself

“Invest in yourself,” was my uncle’s answer.  One evening, years ago, I had gone to my uncle with a very serious question and an expectation that he would be imparting some of his wisdom onto me.  He has always been one of the three men I hold closest to my heart, that have had the most positive impact on me throughout my life.  Sometimes directly through his interactions with me, as well as indirectly, by observing his actions and the way he lives his life that comes as a direct result of his ethics and values. 

More often than not, people of all ages are indirectly influenced by their observations.  As a child, my observations of my uncle made me think of him as the “fun one”.  He was always joking around and laughing at something, which would make his shoulders move up and down.  I never remember him being in a bad mood.  He would talk sternly, without raising his voice, if we got in trouble.  He was never mean or scary.  He always maintained his composure. 

As I got older, my observations led me to notice more about my uncle’s work ethics.  He became a very successful business man who started his own company.  He did not allow fear to hold him back from trying for something even better.  He demonstrates courage, perseverance, and putting in the hard work to reach a goal.  I even remember him allotting time, while on a family vacation, to take care of business matters, without allowing it to interfere with family time.  Anytime his name has come up in a conversation with an acquaintance who has done business with him, I have always heard positive remarks.  He is fair to deal with and a good businessman.  

Later on, after having kids of my own, I observed his strong family values.  Having taken it for granted at the time, he had allowed me into his home to take on the headache of helping out a troubled teenager.  He was always helping out family.  He has remained married to his high school sweetheart for many years and continues to have a close relationship with each of his daughters and grandkids. My grandparents, his parents, were the same way when it came to their family.    He must have learned that from his dad.

My uncle and his dad.

With his financial and professional success track record, along with the trust and high regard I have for my uncle, I sought out his advice.  When I asked him the question, “I have a little money saved up.  What should I invest it in?”  I had expected a much more explicit, not to mention understandable, answer.  I had no idea what “Invest in yourself” even meant.  Regardless of my attempts to get a better explanation he would just repeat, “Invest in yourself.”  Weeks went by, frustrated, I kept asking myself, “How do I invest in myself?”  Until finally I came up with an answer.  At the time I was working in skincare as an Esthetician.  I decided to invest in myself by expanding my expertise and buying into a customizable, cosmetic line.  This would create a new line of revenue for the business.  That was how I decided to invest in myself at that time.  That was six years ago. 

 

Six years later, and still in my head, I believe I finally understand my uncle’s answer.  To invest in myself means to place a priority on my personal and professional growth by developing my skills, expanding my knowledge, exploring creativity, and nurturing my mind and body.  It sends a message to not only myself, but to others who know me, that I am important.  I have value.  I have potential.  I am important enough to invest in that value and potential, to give it energy, and to make it grow.  It is too bad I did not think to Google, “What does invest in yourself mean?” six years ago.  Maybe I would have come to a quicker conclusion.  What are ways that you have invested in yourself?  Maybe it is time to re-invest in yourself.  This year has made some major changes to the world.  What can you be doing for yourself that grows your value and potential in this changing world?

I am not sure if my uncle knows the importance of what he says to me.  Thankfully they have always been good.  Not sugar-coated, but good.  I remember a puzzling question he asked me when I was a child that I still think about to this day.  I was sitting on his lap, in the living room of their small white house.  The entire family was there.  The women were getting dinner ready.  I think his job was to keep me out of their way.  While I sat there with him, he asked me what color my skin was?   Since my dad is Caucasian and my mom is Mexican, the first two answers I gave were white and brown.  Neither were correct. I rambled off every crayon color I could think of that came close.  Peach, beige, yellow, pink, and so on.  I never guessed correctly and he never told me the answer.  I think of that instance every time I go to paint a portrait or a figure now.  Maybe that’s why there are so many colors in the people I paint.

My uncle has been blessed with beautiful grandkids who climb into his lap to answer ambiguous questions.
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