Tend to your Chickens

Happy New Year to all.  (I think I am still within the accepted statute of limitations on being able to say that).  I had every intention of this column being about the recently passed legislation known as the SECURE Act.  Short for the “Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement” Act, it was passed as Congress loves to do – tucked away in appropriations legislation – and went into effect on January 1.  Aside from its awful name, it affects retirement planning in a number of ways.  Yet, again, that was what I was going to talk about.  That is, until the running back known as Beast Mode dropped some knowledge in the best possible way and now – we are going to talk about taking care of that chicken, our bodies and our mentals.

In case you missed it, Marshawn Lynch came out of retirement and returned to the Seattle Seahawks at the end of the season after virtually all of their running backs were lost to injury.  He made a decent impact in the playoffs, scoring touchdowns in both their playoff games before the season ended in a loss to Green Bay.  Three touchdowns being impressive for a 33-year-old running back who hadn’t played all year, that was hardly his best contribution.  No, that came in the post-game presser when he was asked if he was coming back next year.  Because what came next was pure gold.  Lynch launched into advice directed at young football players but which could easily be applied to every one of us.  I will edit a bit for civility’s sake but know that it pains me to change even a word.

“Look, I’ll say like this though: This is a vulnerable time for a lot of these young dudes, you feel me? They don’t be taking care of their chicken right, you feel me?  So if it was me, or if I had opportunity to let these little young (teammates) know something, I’d say take care of y’all money, . . . because that (stuff) don’t last forever now.”

“I’ve been on the other side of retirement and it’s good when you get over there and you can do what the (expletive) you want to. So I tell y’all right now while y’all in it: Take care of y’all bread, so when y’all done you can go ahead and take care of yourself. So while y’all in it right now, take care of y’all’s bodies, take care of y’all’s chicken, take care of y’all’s mental. Because, look, we ain’t lasting that long . . . so you feel me? Take care of y’all mentals, y’all bodies, y’all chicken, so when y’all ready to walk away y’all walk away and you’ll be able to do what y’all want to do.”

Thank you Beast Mode.  We all remember the Super Bowl Media Day when you repeated “I’m just here so I don’t fined” about a hundred times.  That was funny.  But this? Genius.  Because it’s true.  It applies to not only young athletes, but all of us.  Not only do we need to take care of our finances but we need to ensure that we are taking care of ourselves in the process, both physically and mentally, so that when we get to retirement, we can actually enjoy it.  What is the point of killing ourselves for retirement and running our physical and spiritual health in the process?

So, yes, work hard.  Yes, save.  Yes, budget.  Yes, invest wisely.  Take care of that chicken. But also – move every day.  Get outside.  Seek laughter.  If you are struggling with something – get help.  There’s no shame.  Take care of yourself for your family’s sake and for your sake.  And then, when y’all are ready to walk away – you’ll be able to do what y’all want to do.  Don’t take it from me.  Take it from Marshawn.  He said it way better.  Live well, live with love, until next time.

Original content provided by Gregory Mattacola, Esq., Financial Advisor at Strategic Financial Services. Content is provided for educational purposes only and should not be used as the basis upon which to make investment or financial decisions.