Lessons on Wealth from Hurricane Helene

As I reflect on the devastation that Hurricane Helene left across North Carolina, I’m reminded of how fragile life’s comforts can be and, more importantly, how true joy has little to do with the things we own. I recently had the opportunity to volunteer in some of the hardest-hit areas of our state. I walked among homes reduced to rubble, family heirlooms lost forever, and familiar streets unrecognizable under the debris. Despite all the heartache and material loss, what struck me most was the resilience of many of the people I met, that through immense devastation and personal tragedy, gratitude was something no storm could take away. It was a wonderful reminder of how wealth, purpose, and true joy are not found in money or possessions.

Here are a few thoughts I’d like to share as I reflected on the last several weeks and how it translates into the character and values of our firm.

I’ve spent my career helping people build wealth, manage risk, and prepare for the future. But standing side-by-side with those who had lost nearly everything, it hit me once again that joy has nothing to do with the things we accumulate. So many families, despite losing their homes and belongings, expressed gratitude for their lives, for their loved ones, and for the community that showed up to support them. It confirmed my long-held belief that the pursuit of happiness through material wealth is ultimately hollow - true joy comes not from what we own, but eternal things and the relationships and purposes that sustain us, especially during life’s most challenging times.

Watching the community come together in response to the disaster was a testament to human resilience. Volunteers and neighbors worked together tirelessly, restoring some sense of hope where there had only been loss. I met people who had driven from all parts of the country. I worked side by side with people from Texas, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Arkansas, Colorado, and more. When I asked why they came from so far away, each of them essentially said the same thing... “I felt compelled to help my fellow man.” It was moving beyond words, and in these moments, it was a reaffirmation to me that wealth is only as valuable as the purpose it serves. I watched people donate expensive personal items like generators, chainsaws, ATV’s, etc. without any expectation of their return. As I watched people share food, comfort and pray for each other, and labor side-by-side to clear debris, it reminded me that wealth should enable us to live generously and intentionally, to serve a purpose beyond ourselves.

At Counterweight Private Wealth, we often work with people who want to protect their resources, provide for their families, and leave a legacy. A financial plan should be more than a safety net - it should be a launchpad for a meaningful life, enabling us to help others, to pursue dreams, and to build legacies that truly matter. After witnessing firsthand how quickly everything can change, it’s important to continually remind ourselves we need to intentional with our resources and pursue goals that craft the legacy we want to leave behind.