A Different Approach

Thomas Herlong

September 13, 2019

It is an honor to serve as the new president of the Aiken Symphony. While we all want to feel financially secure, money isn’t the only thing that creates wealth in our lives. It is equally important to broaden our exposure to the fine arts, to stir our senses to new heights with music and art.

There is no doubt in my mind that you will leave each symphony performance with additional value and inspiration for having been present. I would venture to say that most of us attend to be inspired and fulfilled with beautiful music and enjoy the performance, and that’s not uncommon.

Please allow me to share a different perspective. Like many of you, I started learning music in elementary school playing in the band; some of you may have taken piano lessons. Do you remember the time, dedication and instruction that it took to reach a point in time when you felt good about your achievement?

When I walk on the stage and welcome you to the performance, I’m thinking about all the musicians on stage who have each devoted thousands of hours to develop their talent to rise to the top and become professional musicians. I am thinking about the dedication and passion it took for Dr. Donald Portnoy to develop his talent and expertise to conduct the symphony with excellence.

Consider the talent of each individual musician and combine that with the extraordinary creation of the composer conducted by Dr. Portnoy so that we can enjoy an extraordinary experience.

My appreciation for being able to enjoy the quality of this performance in Aiken has grown even more knowing the dedication of the board members who volunteer countless hours of time to make this possible, as well as Deedee and Wendy, our staff members who make sure all of the work behind the scenes is accomplished.

And yet, if it were not for your attendance and support , none of this could be enjoyed and appreciated. I hope this different approach to what creates an Aiken Symphony Orchestra performance will add to your appreciation of the beautiful music of the night.

Sincerely,

Thomas Herlong

Thomas Herlong

Thomas H Herlong, CLU, ChFC, CLTC: General Partner, Herlong & Doran Financial Group

Thomas Herlong

Thomas H Herlong, CLU, ChFC, CLTC: General Partner, Herlong & Doran Financial Group

In the know

The Challenges of Building Wealth

The use of the word wealth automatically creates a mindset that is as different for each of us as is our appearance. For most of us, wealth is defined as assets minus liabilities — that is, net worth. As an advisor, we try to communicate that wealth is more than money, but for the most part, the public usually sees wealth as financial assets. Having an abundance of wealth is often referred to as being rich, but in my opinion, these definitions do not define what I have experienced with clients and associates who are wealthy or rich. For the sake of this article, I will focus on the meaning

The Mindset for Financial Clarity

There is nothing more frustrating than spending your time, energy, and money searching for a destination that does not exist. Have you ever been lost? If so, the most important thing is to know where you are. You cannot get to your destination until you know your starting point. Imagine being in a large airport. Your ticket tells you which gate to go to, but you are not sure where to find it. The first thing you look for is a map, and when you find it, it shows you where you are. Only then can you figure out how you need to proceed. That’s a snapshot of life. We

Humility

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, humility is freedom from pride or arrogance, or the quality or state of being humble. I believe humility is the ability to be thankful and to understand that life is more than what we think. It takes more than me to make more than me. In order for a person to progress, he or she must be exposed to different people and experience different environments. Humility is a mentality. It is essential to becoming a better person. Humility takes understanding and recognition. When realized, humility is the key to peace. Be humble — get help; be hostile — get hurt. Humility is love, and without

Are Successful People Lucky?

Success is defined as the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. When it comes to your career, what factors lead to success? Is it education? Hard work? Or could it be luck? There are too many factors to talk about, so here are my top six. 1. Keep your word. If you say you are going to do something, do it. People will remember your integrity no matter how big or small the commitment. Make your deadlines, keep your promises. Under-promise and over-deliver. This is number one for a reason. 2. Dress for success. While dress codes have changed over the years, and are now less predictable than the traditional