Finding Purpose With Acts Of Service: A Love Language For Your Business

Betty-Anne Howard

February has always been one of my favorite months. After I’m done shaking off any post-holiday season blues, February marks new beginnings. With warmer weather on the way, I’m grateful for my wonderful friends and family with whom I get to spend another great year.

Aside from my own birthday (yippee!) I especially enjoy celebrating Valentine’s Day with my wife and taking stock of the things we have accomplished together. Even before I was married, I’d acknowledge my love for friends and family by creating cards for them and saying how much I appreciate them in my life.

Understanding The Five Love Languages

February also makes me think about Gary Chapman’s book, The 5 Love Languages, which explains that each of us gives and receives love differently. You can connect more profoundly by learning to recognize these preferences in yourself and in your loved ones.

In case you haven’t read the book, the 5 love languages are:

- Acts of Service
- Receiving Gifts
- Quality Time
- Words of Affirmation
- Physical Touch

Do you know what your primary love language is?

Mine is ‘acts of service,’ as there is nothing better than providing someone with the means with which to succeed. I’m proud to say my whole team embodies this love language, as helping people find financial freedom is in our DNA. Making their dreams a reality is gratifying and a source of pride.

Standing Up For What Is Right

I think every successful business should have a love language that they help define themselves by. At the end of the day, whether you work in financial services, sales, manufacturing, or elsewhere—assisting people in solving problems should be the reason you get out of bed every day.

When I think of how Athena Wealth and Legacy Solutions as a company has evolved over the years, I feel blessed that my team and I have kept our social purpose of helping people achieve financial literacy. For me, this is an act of kindness that keeps on giving.

Going back almost 40 years, I’m proud to say my life and work have revolved around acts of service, many of which were quite disruptive to the status quo! Whenever I see discrimination and injustice due to gender, race, or sexual orientation, I make a point to bring these issues to the forefront. From organizing ‘Take Back the Night’ marches, to attending the Women’s March for Peace in Ottawa and organizing International Women’s Day Events, I’m proud to say I’ve stood up for what I believe in.

Our Past Shapes Our Future

I also draw strength from my father. As a boy, he was taken out of school in grade three to work on the farm. Unable to read or write, I saw firsthand how the lack of quality information available to people kept them from reaching their true potential. Upon entering into financial services, I was aware of the hurdles many people were facing because of the obscurity of the language used in contracts and textbooks.

A lack of a business degree should not be a barrier for any Canadian wanting to understand how to secure their financial future! Even some of the most intelligent women I knew would exasperatedly tell me, “I don’t get it!” when faced with confusing financial jargon. I ensured they understood that this information wasn’t being written by women, for women—something I‘ve also changed by authoring my books and content to help bridge that gap.

As a kid who grew up wearing hand-me-downs, living in a tiny shack, and eating sub-standard meals for dinner, I’m proud of where I came from. I consider it a gift. It stoked a lifelong passion for learning, understanding, and an intense desire to make a difference in my life and the lives of others. Despite many stumbles and naysayers—I was determined to succeed and let others know they could grow too.

Do You Have An Act Of Service In Mind?

Acts of service. It’s always been my love language. Not knowing how to do something should never stop you from trying. If you’re interested in making more meaningful decisions with your money, perhaps performing your own act of kindness, there are so many impactful ways to influence your life and the lives of others so if you want to know and understand more of these, please reach out to us. It would be an honor to help you.

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