Golden Bells 2009
"Teacher says every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings."
It really is a wonderful life, but it doesn't have anything to do with Jimmy Stewart, or Clarence, for that matter.
It does, however, have everything to do with angels.
Pam Jones at Magic Moments, Kristin Whitehurst with The Alabama Arthritis Foundation, John Croyle of Big Oak Ranch, Stentson Carpenter of Rainbow Omega, and Save-a-Life of Shelby County are all associations we had in 2009 of which we are very proud.
People like Jay Barker, Al DelGreco, Tony Kurre and Lee Davis lead and influence many others by doing things publicly and privately all year long. Sharing in the good deeds of others is like a holiday for us. Our screening of "The Ultimate Gift" in conjunction with Magic Moments this year was like Christmas in June.
Todd Harrell joined us from Merrill Lynch this year. Todd is a significant addition to our firm and brings a great deal to our capabilities, especially in the 401(k) arena.
We also added Melanie Dickinson to our ranks this year. She is building our business giving special attention to women's issues.
Kim Kimbrell joined our staff in 2009. Among many other things, she oversees our communications, including publications and the development of our new web site.
Speaking of the web site, our new look and features should be up and running about the time you receive this message. Take a look at pryormccormick.com and let us know what you think.
The McCormick Bundle of Joy Index doubled this year with the addition of Caroline Lee. Future Chairman of the Board Daniel McCormick seems excited about this development.
The PGI (The Pryor Golf Index measures how many rounds of golf Steve Pryor gets to play) is still down 50% from its 2006 highs, but we look for improvement in this vital statistic for 2010.
Next year in this wonderful life
While there are many troubling things in our world today, the most dangerous are those that threaten to rob us of our desire to be blessings to others.
When we take the burdens and aspirations of an entire country and ask half the people to pay for it all, we risk destroying the engine that keeps everything going. High taxes not only leave less to provide for our families but also to give others.
The worst tax is that on our compassion. When we allow the government to tell us what the good causes and who the deserving people are, we abdicate our responsibility to seek out pain and help alleviate it. We just work, pay taxes and try to keep the most for ourselves. Where is the fun in that?
If we are blessed with enough to help others, why should we deny ourselves the challenge of making a positive difference? Most of us would scrimp and save to get our children into little league or dance lessons. Why would we let them grow up not knowing the joy of giving to others?
There will be other challenges ahead. Interest rates will almost certainly rise over time as growth in the cost of living accelerates. That will devalue bonds of every kind. Even though the US stock market gained about 25% this year, corporate profits are threatened by the recession and new government taxes, regulations and mandates.
Health care and the insurance most of us buy to pay for it have gone up in price over the years. But the miracles of modern medicine keep arriving with every new season and people can live longer, healthier lives than ever before.
No matter what 2010 brings, we should all make sure our investments, insurance, taxes, jobs, health, politics and time are all about more than money. We should not let this world's "flood of dissipation" rob us of the joy that comes from living right for the right reasons.
Pryor McCormick is blessed with clients, advisors, staff and professional associations who make it easy for us all to remember why it really is a wonderful life.
"I thank my God every time I remember you." - Philippians 1:3
God Bless,
Steve and Jim
View our Golden Bells archives
What is Different This Time September 2011
Who is Atlas May 2011
Performance Anxiety February 2011
Ball of Confusion October 2010
Into the Storm June 2010
April 2009
March 2009
Year End 2008
Halloween 2008
PryorMcCormick Investments
4000 Southlake Park, Suite 200
Birmingham, AL 35244
Securities and investment advisory services offered through Sterne Agee Financial Services.
Member FINRA/SIPC.
PryorMccormick is not an affiliate of Sterne Agee Financial Services.