"One Life. Just One." — What Are We Waiting For?

May 14, 2025

“One life. Just one.

Why aren’t we running like we are on fire towards our dreams?”

I came across this quote recently, and it stopped me in my tracks. It’s the kind of sentence that doesn’t just ask a question—it holds up a mirror. It made me think about the conversations I have every day as a financial advisor. Conversations about retirement, savings, investments, and goals. But beneath all the spreadsheets and strategies, there’s always a deeper question lingering:

What does it all mean? What are we really here for?

Let me tell you a story.

Tom and the Empty Calendar

Tom was one of my earliest clients. A successful business owner in his late 50s, he had built a thriving company from the ground up. He was sharp, driven, and always had a plan. When we first met, he told me his goal was to retire by 60 with enough money to travel the world and finally “enjoy life.”

We worked together for years, carefully building his portfolio, minimizing taxes, and preparing for that big moment. And then, one day, it came. He sold his business. He had more than enough. We celebrated. He was free.

But a few months later, Tom called me. He sounded... off.

“I thought I’d feel different,” he said. “I thought I’d wake up excited. But my calendar’s empty, and I don’t know what to do with myself.”

Tom had spent so long chasing “more”—more growth, more success, more security—that he hadn’t stopped to ask what “enough” looked like. He never had time to enjoy a hobby or spend meaningful time with his family. Not surprisingly he had divorced in his 40’s and had no children. And then he reached the summit, only to realize he hadn’t thought about what came after the climb.

The Myth of “Someday”

We live in a culture that glorifies hustle. We’re taught to chase the next promotion, the next raise, the next milestone. We save for “someday.” We delay joy for a future that’s never guaranteed.

But here’s the truth: life isn’t about more. It’s about enough.

Enough isn’t a number in your bank account. It’s a feeling. It’s the moment you realize you have what you need to live meaningfully, to be present, to breathe. It’s the freedom to say no to what doesn’t matter and yes to what does.

As a financial advisor, I help people plan for the future—but I also help them recognize when they’ve already arrived.

Running Toward the Right Dreams

That quote—“Why aren’t we running like we are on fire toward our dreams?”—isn’t just about ambition. It’s about urgency. It’s about waking up to the fact that this life is the only one we get. And if we’re not careful, we’ll spend it chasing things that don’t actually fulfill us.

So, what are your dreams? Not the ones you think you should have. The real ones. The ones that light you up. Maybe it’s writing a book, starting a garden, spending more time with your kids, or finally taking that trip to Italy.

The question isn’t whether you can afford it. The question is: can you afford to wait?

Redefining Wealth

Wealth isn’t just money. It’s time. It’s health. It’s relationships. And the most valuable kind of wealth is the kind that lets you live fully now—not just later.

So, here’s what I encourage my clients to do:

• Define your “enough.” What does a good life look like for you? Not in theory, but in practice.
• Audit your time. Are you spending your days in alignment with your values?
• Invest in joy. Not just stocks and bonds. Invest in experiences, in rest, in connection.
• Plan for the future, but live in the present. Because “someday” is a dangerous myth.

Final Thoughts

Tom eventually found his rhythm. He started volunteering, picked up photography, traveled, and began mentoring young entrepreneurs. He told me he finally felt rich—not because of his bank account, but because he had reclaimed his time and purpose. Tom recently passed and his funeral was standing room only with people who he met after he had retired in 2007, a testament that it is never too late to start living.

So I’ll leave you with this:

You have one life. Just one. Don’t wait for permission to live it. Don’t wait for the perfect number, the perfect moment, or the perfect plan. Run—like you are on fire—toward the things that matter most.

Because the goal isn’t to die with the most money.

The goal is to live with the most meaning.

Warm Regards,

JOSH J. MILES, CPWA^®, BFA™

Managing Director, Investments

Private Wealth Advisor

Financial Advisor

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