'Karen and Jay reflect on why keeping ‘the long run’ in mind is the key to lasting success and happiness.'

We live in a world that loves the quick fix. The shortcut. The overnight success. But when we look around at the people we admire most — the folks who build great families, great businesses, great communities — what stands out isn’t what they did in the moment, but what they did in the long run.

The long run is where character is proven. It’s where patience becomes strength. It’s where doing the right thing — even when it’s hard, even when it costs something — becomes the foundation for a life of meaning.

This week, as we transition from Thanksgiving toward the Christmas season, it’s a perfect time to reflect on that bigger horizon. The holidays invite us to zoom out, to look past the hustle of the moment and focus on the values that make life rich: integrity, kindness, perseverance, and love. These are not “quick win” virtues. They’re investments — and every small act adds up over time.

When we choose honesty over convenience, generosity over self-interest, and gratitude over complaint, we’re quietly shaping the kind of life that will stand strong decades from now.

We’re building the kind of family that sticks together, the kind of friendships that deepen, the kind of community that lifts people up. People in small towns and communities across New Hampshire and America know this instinctively — we take care of our neighbors not because it pays off today, but because it builds a better tomorrow for everyone.

So, as we look ahead, let’s take the long view. Let’s remind ourselves that the choices we make today — the kindness we show, the effort we give, the humility we practice — are planting seeds. They may not bloom tomorrow. But they will bloom. And when they do, we’ll be grateful we stayed the course.

Here’s to living life with the long run in mind — to building slowly, steadily, and with heart. It’s the surest path to joy, fulfillment, and a legacy that lasts.

This week we are delighted to highlight Warren Buffet. Few people embody “the long run” more vividly than the “Oracle of Omaha” whose life, career, and philosophy are built around patience, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to doing what’s right.

Buffett is famous for saying, “Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” That mindset has shaped everything from his investing approach to his personal values. He doesn’t chase fads. He doesn’t seek quick wins. He believes that true success comes from steady discipline, thoughtful decision-making, and keeping your eyes on the horizon.

But beyond his financial wisdom, Warren Buffett stands out for his character. He lives modestly, believes deeply in the power of trust, and emphasizes that reputation — built slowly over decades — can be lost in an instant. He’s spent much of his life encouraging young people to invest in themselves, surround themselves with good people, and cultivate habits that compound positively over time.

Buffett also embodies generosity in the long run. His philanthropic commitments, among the largest in history, reflect a belief that success is meant to be shared and that the greatest impact often comes from steady giving, year after year.

Few people in modern history embody long-term thinking like Warren Buffett.

From the house he’s lived in for over 60 years to his decades-long commitment to giving away the majority of his wealth, Buffett’s life is a masterclass in patience, discipline, and quiet, steady purpose.

He famously said:

“Someone is sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.”

That’s not just an investing principle — it’s a way of life. Buffett is deeply American in his philosophy:

• build steadily

• act with integrity

• avoid shortcuts

• take care of others along the way

Buffett inspires us to think long-term about our careers, our families, our communities, and our character.

In a world that often values the quick win, Warren Buffett reminds us that the long run is where real greatness is found. His life is a living example of what patience, principle, and purpose can create.

Quote of the Week

“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.”

— Abraham Lincoln