“I have often wished that Jefferson had not used that phrase ‘the pursuit of happiness’ as the third right … I would rather he had written, ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of meaningfulness’ or ‘integrity’ or ‘truth.’  I know that happiness has been the real, if covert, goal of your labors here. I know that it informs your choice of companions, the profession you will enter.  But I urge you, please do not settle for happiness.  It’s not good enough.  Personal success devoid of meaningfulness, free of a steady commitment to social justice – that’s more than a barren life; it’s a trivial one.  It’s looking good instead of doing good.”

These are the words of novelist Toni Morrison spoken to the 2011 graduating class at Rutgers.  Such beauty.  Such brilliance.

Ms. Morrison speaks of purpose, of meaning, of perspective.  When we read her words we knew she was preaching to the choir.

Longtime friends and clients of Apollo know we have some basic tent poles.  We believe in options and choice.  We believe in flexibility.  We believe in an end.  The work we do, the strategies we employ – they are but the means.

It’s human nature.  ‘My investment returns aren’t high enough?’  High enough for what?  ‘I pay too much tax.’  What is the right amount?  ‘I’m worried about my future.’  Who isn’t?

The media, our golfing buddies, random folks on the cocktail party circuit – they all provide entertaining stories about ‘winning’ and ‘success.’  It’s up to us as individuals to define our own success, to know what ‘game’ we seek to ‘win.’

Don’t invest for the sake of investing.  Invest with purpose, with a goal in mind.  Budget to your lifestyle, not define your lifestyle by your budget.  Dream.  Hope.  Plan.  This is what wealth management is truly about.

A great way to say Happy Birthday America this holiday weekend is to enjoy the full text of Ms. Morrison’s words or hear them as they were spoken.  It’s an enjoyable and productive step in the pursuit of happiness.