There comes a time — maybe many times — when you realize you’re living under the weight of expectations that were never truly yours. Sometimes they’re loud and obvious: the job title you’re “supposed” to chase, the kind of parent or partner you’re expected to be, the house, the status, the picture-perfect version of a […]
Personal Note
Dado Diaries: The Beautiful, Bumpy, Brave Becoming
This week, my daughter graduates from 8th grade. My only daughter. My middle child. And while this isn’t our first graduation as a family, it carries its own kind of gravity. Not because it’s “the first” or “the last”—but because it’s hers. Because she stands at this threshold with her own story, her own voice, […]
The Quiet Grace of Being Known
There’s a quiet kind of grace in being known—not in the surface-level way where people know your name, your job, your general likes and dislikes—but in the deeper, soul-level way. The way someone knows how your voice changes when you’re overwhelmed, even if you’re trying to sound “fine.” The way they can tell you’re avoiding […]
Transitions and Tributes
Traditionally, spring has been about new beginnings and a rebirth from the dead of winter. From religion recognizing Easter and Passover, to cherry blossoms in our nation’s capital, to a new season of baseball, spring brings a sense of promise, growth, and transformation. Over the years, and with a little help from Hallmark and other […]
“It Looked So Real!” – How to Protect Yourself and Loved Ones from the Most Common Scams Targeting Seniors
In today’s digital world, scams have become more sophisticated than ever—and unfortunately, they often target the most trusting among us: our aging loved ones. From text messages pretending to be from UPS, to fake toll road violations, to phishing calendar invites that pop up right on your phone or computer, scammers are using technology to […]
Yesterday’s Vibe is Today’s Mindset
Lately, I’ve been thinking about how much of yesterday we unintentionally carry into today. The conversations we had. The tension we didn’t resolve. The way we felt when we woke up, or how we collapsed into bed. Even the little things — a to-do list left unfinished, a laugh shared over dinner, or that quiet […]
The Heart of the Home
There are many words to describe what a mother truly is to her children and family – the heart, the glue, the rock are just some among many others. As I reflect on the mothers in my own life, all are very true. However, I can confidently add one more descriptor – pure gold. Recently […]
Channeling Your Inner Papa Bear (or Mama Bear)
There’s a force inside us that doesn’t show up until it has to. It’s not always loud. It doesn’t need fanfare.But when something feels off—or someone we love is threatened—it comes forward without hesitation.Some call it the “mama bear” instinct. Others call it “papa bear” energy.But no matter what name it goes by, it’s the […]
What Am I Still Holding Onto?
There’s this quiet little question that’s been tapping on my shoulder lately:Am I holding onto something that’s quietly hurting me more than helping me? It’s so easy to carry things because they’ve always been there. A way of working. A role in your family. A routine that once kept everything in order, but now feels […]
Your Life, In a Letter: How to Write a Legacy Letter for the People You Love
When we think of legacy, we often think of the tangible: a home, a family business, a carefully prepared estate plan. But sometimes, the most meaningful gift we can leave behind is something far more personal—our words. A legacy letter—sometimes called an ethical will—is a heartfelt message written to your loved ones, sharing your values, […]
Spring Cleaning of Your Mind
Welcome to Spring, a season of new life and new beginnings. There’s a freshness and a stirring sense of promise in the air as we wake from our winter hibernation and look forward to what summer and the rest of the year will bring. Growing up this meant little league baseball, spring soccer, rainy days […]
What My Younger Self Would Think of Me Today
If my younger self could step into my life now, I wonder what they’d see first. Would they recognize me right away, or would it take a moment to reconcile the person I imagined becoming with the person I actually am? Would they focus on the ways life turned out differently than expected, or would […]
The Key to Having Better Birthdays
The key to a full life and having more enjoyable birthdays is love, actually. I am “shy” about my birthday. I usually don’t like being the center of attention unless it helps someone else or provides value to the general public. That’s why I don’t mind doing videos for Snyder Law, performing for a webinar […]
You Get to Do This Life
How many times have you caught yourself thinking or saying, “ugh, I have to ______ (insert a task or event from your busy life)”? It’s easy to do. Carolyn and I know as we’ve said it (or grumbled it) many times. However, some influential people in our lives encouraged us to stop the grumbling […]
The Joy in the Little Things (Like a Coffee Mug and a Thoughtful Friend)
Life has a way of flying by, doesn’t it? One minute, it’s Monday morning, and before I know it, I’m sitting down to dinner on Friday, wondering where the week went. In between, there’s the steady rhythm of work, family, and responsibilities—all important, all fulfilling, but sometimes a blur in the busyness of it all. […]
Turns Out, Luck Isn’t What I Thought It Was
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on what it means to be “lucky.” Growing up, I often thought of luck as something that happened to certain people—almost like a random twist of fate or some kind of magic that changed their lives. You’d hear about people hitting the jackpot, or […]
Dado Diaries: Striving to Be More Like My Kids
As a dad, I’ve always felt a deep responsibility to teach my kids—to show them how to navigate life, make good choices, be kind, work hard, and grow into the best versions of themselves. But the more I watch them, the more I realize something surprising: I have just as much to learn from them […]
Your Estate Plan, Your Story: What Will Yours Say?
Imagine your estate plan as the final chapter of your story—a legacy that speaks long after you’re gone. Every life is a collection of experiences, lessons, and values, and your estate plan is the last opportunity to ensure that your story is told the way you want it to be. It’s not just about distributing […]
Estate Planning That Expresses Who You Are: 5 Things to Talk About with Your Family
You intend to pass along your hard-earned money and property through your estate plan, but what about your wisdom? Ensuring that you successfully pass all of this along may call for a family meeting to discuss your finances, your legacy, and your core principles. Most families lead busy lives, with many relatives seeing one another […]
Important Legacy Questions You Should Answer in Your Estate Plan
When beginning any type of planning, you usually start with some preliminary questions. Estate planning is no different. When you begin the process, your estate planning attorney will likely ask about your family members, the accounts and property you own, and whom you want to include in your estate plan. As you dive deeper into […]