“They could be used again, we’ll find a use for them or at least
somebody will want them sometime, put them in the storage
yard.” The owner of the new bait shop and convenience store
had a sizeable parcel of land with plenty of room to keep the
solid oak doors that were removed from the building when
walls were taken down to open up the space. That was
probably a practical and conservative decision at the time but
over the next several years and decades the open space also
received used boats, lawn mowers, cars, trucks and various
other pieces of equipment that never seemed to find a new
home. Neglected and subjected to the elements the one time
assets deteriorated and eventually became a liability that had
to be removed at considerable expense when the owner died
and heirs prepared to sell the real estate.
Most of us do not have a storage yard for accumulating old cars
and mowers. However we may well have other assets, tangible
and intangible, that are neglected and allowed to depreciate
overtime. With use and care depreciation can be slowed and in
some cases, particularly intangibles, they may appreciate in
value.
While it is unfortunate to let solid oak antique doors or classic
cars weather and rot, the bigger loss is when personal strengths
and skills go unused and atrophy. Even more disconcerting is
when personal dreams and visions for a better career or life are
allowed to dissolve in the elements of daily responsibilities
and contrary expectations of other people. A simple act of
conscious gratitude for our skills, strengths, relationships,
hopes, dreams, and visions will help them grow and develop.
Appreciation helps them appreciate! We encourage everyone
to take time to regularly and consistently identify and
appreciate those intangible assets that are important, then
watch them grow and thrive.
