Anyone who knows me knows how much music is a part of my everyday life. I especially enjoy live concerts and prefer smaller venues over stadiums. I listen to a variety of genres depending on the mood I’m in or one I want to elevate to. I was struggling with a topic for this blog when music inspired me; not surprisingly the music of the great American bard, Bruce Springsteen. “The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle” is my favorite Bruce album, the one I choose for road trips, and whenever I need my spirit lifted. Classic E Street sound! But it was watching the concert documentary of Bruce performing his Western Stars album, backed by a 30-piece orchestra in his 100-year old barn in New Jersey, that put me in a reflective mood and gave me the inspiration I sought.
The film begins with this introduction from Bruce: “Western Stars is a 13-song meditation on the struggle between individual freedom and communal life. There are two sides of the American character. One is transient, restless, solitary. But the other is collective and communal – in search of family, deep roots and a home for the heart to reside. These two sides rub up against one another always and forever in everyday American life.” Sound familiar?
Watching the film made me contemplate how everyday life has changed since this year began. How families and communities have had to adapt quickly to protect and serve; protect our health, loved ones, livelihoods; serve clients, struggling businesses, front line heroes; and appreciate those we took for granted for their courage, steadfastness, and resilience.
The RTD family continues to draw on our communal strength and Core Values to protect and serve clients and our team in meaningful ways. We quickly adapted to working from home while remaining personally engaged with clients and each other. Everyone continues to rally across all departments – Client Service, Operations, Investments, Personal Wealth Management, Trusts and Non-Profits, and Employer Retirement Plans – with RTD’s Core Values as our guide:
Clients’ Interests ALWAYS Come First
Integrity and Honesty
Stewardship
Corporate Social Responsibility
Competence and Continuing Education
Treating Everyone with Dignity & Respect
Embrace Diversity & Inclusion
Having Fun!
Yes, we do manage to have “virtual” fun even during these challenging times! And we’re reaping rewards from our investment in talented caring “RTD people” and technology that allows us to stay open for business to serve existing clients and onboard new ones.
We are so grateful for loyal clients and strategic partners who continue to place their trust and confidence in our firm. RTD is open for business and here to serve!