Another time for an entry on this new adventure I’ve set myself with this blog. Thank you for your kind comments!
I am writing this new entry from another Airport lounge, this time in Dallas-Ft.Worth. Huge airport, as many of you may know. And as I am sipping my favorite coffee (a “Venti Soy Misto“), and as I see people rushing in the crowd, trying to make their connections or about to take a plane home, I reflect on how quick and precarious human life is, and I will tell you what I mean in a couple of paragraphs down this read.
I am, as many of you know, a Life Insurance Agent. I don’t have a long career or an enormous client portfolio. I began in this profession some years ago, and I continuously work harder to improve both my career and my income, just like everybody else. I guess you can safely say I am a normal person trying to make my living in the Universe, as Star War’s Jango Fett once said. For me, this “normality” is a commodity, as it allows me to take an important part in people’s lives; pretty much like the same kinds of lives of the people I see right now with their luggage and carry-ons along with them.
Since last week, I have -still am- been living a new “First” in my life. The crystallization of my dream to play in Augusta and watch the Masters Tournament finally happened in front of my very own eyes. So, as the title of this entry partially reads, this experience was for me…
“A First Lust“
I allowed my senses to be engulfed in all the gluttony my soul could swallow. I ate Fairways, I drank 3-putts, I bathed in the dream-like wonderful colors of the Greens. I had it all for myself, and then some. This morning, as I checked my e-mails, news struck me like lightning on an open course. My first-ever client, suddenly died of a heart attack. A “first” great experience, washed away by another “first” experience. Something I must do for the very first time. Here is where the second half of the title takes its meaning….
“A First Must“
Down the drain went my forever-lasting smile from the previous days. Goodbye to my Spanish Paella and exquisite Sauvignon Blanc I drank just a couple of days earlier in Georgia. As I went through my files on my client, I immediately remembered the last time I talked to him, urging him to increase the amount of his life insurance policy, as well as I recalled him telling me he was considering not paying the premiums anymore, since his financial situation was dire and this expense was becoming a heavy burden on his check balance. After this memory, a sigh of relief assisted me: This client was going to get paid, because he didn’t cancel out his policy. A sigh of relief that for me is worth the chance to continue enjoying my work and my vacations, as I am flying to Cabo San Lucas, but most importantly for his surviving family, this is sigh of relief that represents the payment of his life insurance policy with a good amount of money to take care of things.
You see, that is what Life Insurance is all about. Money and nothing else. Is about receiving a check we do not want to receive as next of kin when someone dies, like a father or a spouse. It is, in financial terms, what it means. It means the delivery of a promise written on a legal contract by way of issuing a check for a determined amount.
Life Insurance does not have anything to do with emotions or the love felt towards the person that just died. Life Insurance doesn’t care if this person was funny or bitter. Life Insurance does not have an opinion on this person, as long as the person meets certain criteria. This man loved his grandchildren and wanted the best for them, but for all Life Insurance cares, he could have loved dogs and cats just as much.
Because at the end of the day, Life Insurance is just buying money into the future. It is a greater and better way to save money, perhaps even better than putting your money into a savings account, for example. And in order for this money to be utilized into the future, you must add money to this “account” and this is done by paying premiums.
Yes, yes, I know what you think “Here comes the sales pitch”. Well, yes, of course there is a sales pitch involved here, but more than a sell, is just free reality to be used as best and most suitable we feel. Because the matter of the fact is that without this client (as many others) taking the commitment to put some money away each year (or month, depending) whenever is it that reality strikes – as it struck my client’s family last night – his family wouldn’t be able to cope with the amount of nasty stuff that comes after someone dies,. as they now will.
This is where the “emotional” part kicks in, because the struggle between paying for something we won’t use (like a car or a boat) and understanding the responsibilities towards those we claim we love is real and it is present everyday you live without life insurance. Think about it. You could be about to catch a plane and a heart attack may decide to fly you into eternity. It only takes a few minutes, or seconds, to die.
So yes, I want to sell you something, a concept. I want to sell you the chance of feeling easy and relaxed like me, waiting to board a plane to continue with another “First” and satisfied because all proper arrangements are already taking place with the company I work for so my client’s family gets their money soon, so they too can face this “First” with at least, enough money to carry on, living without their loved one. For me, even though I am saddened by the passing of my first client, my job is done and I feel rewarded in more ways than possible.
Concepts must be kept separate when times so demand. When tragedy or natural death occurs, humans feel the direct impact of these events. We mourn our loss, we grief and only we are able to feel the bereavement resulting from such detachments of our life. On the other hand, as crude as it may sound, purchasing an insurance policy and having it pay when we die shouldn’t be about feelings, as we are already overcharged with sadness and despair.
This is where the line must be drawn. Insurance takes care of everything so you can attend to the feelings you are going through in the easiest way. Insurance does not have emotions so you can have them and feel them.
Time to Board. See you in Cabo!
Andreina Maneiro