Grit with Gods: Aker
by Randy Kaufman, with research assistance from Dustin Lowman
One faces the past, the other faces the future; each safeguards the present moment.
I recently received a box of Haut Vosages chocolates from “A Sacred Hi Vibe Collection.'' The cover, shaped like a large heart, was shaded in hues of purple, pink, orange, and blue — the tones of a resplendent sunset. The inside cover bore an illustration of the Egyptian god Bastet. As I admired the illustration and read the meaning of Bastet — the Goddess of women’s secrets, cats, and fertility — I was reminded of how I found my firm’s name, Aker Advisors.
I was also reminded of how my personal and professional lives have benefitted from absorbing ancient wisdom, rooted in storytelling. For thousands of years, we’ve been telling ourselves the same basic stories which deliver the same basic lessons on how to live life happily. Each generation must learn them anew. There’s a beautiful irony in calling on the ancients for contemporary guidance: Though sourced from an era that looked almost nothing like ours, the fundamental tenets have everything to do with how to live well today.
As with so many meaningful events in life, this revelation all started with a necklace.
The Prophetic Pendant
For me, jewelry serves as a sort of reminder system — I like to wear my values on my sleeve, or my wrists as the case may be. My daily stack includes angels, evil eyes, one very special buddha on a lava strand, skulls, and Naga dragons. My cherished Labradoodles, not to be outdone, partake, too — one sports an evil eye, the other a skull. While some look at jewelry and see sheer opulence, I see a chance to remind myself of my protectors and my loved ones who frequently contribute to my collection (thinking of you, Marla Aaron). I’m not the world’s most religious person, but I am values-driven. I recognize the danger inherent to life, and I’m eternally grateful for the people and fortune that have helped me navigate it.
So, when my husband-to-be, David, asked me what I wanted for a wedding present, I already had something in mind — I’d had it in mind for a year, actually. It was a gold pendant, made by Carolina Wickenberg, fashioned in the style of an Ancient Egyptian coin. Its face bore the image of a lion facing west, flanked by ancient text and etched laurels.
Because I was drawn to the pendant’s image, I looked more deeply into what it symbolized. I learned that the lion represented the ancient Egyptian god Aker. Historically, Aker was depicted by two lions, facing away from each other, with a sun disc between them. The lion on the left, facing west, represented yesterday. The lion on the right, facing east, represented tomorrow. The sun disc symbolized the present moment — our common reality.
It’s not uncommon for firms to spend tens of thousands of dollars coming up with names, putting those names (usually inspired by trees, Greek/Roman gods, or mountains tops) through committees, determining whether they’re already taken (they usually are), and starting from scratch if so. That’s why I was so pleased when Aker fell in my lap. I didn’t have to go searching for it, I didn’t have to spend a small fortune coming up with it. It was there, waiting, for the taking.
I loved several things about this symbol. First and foremost, the lion has that regal appeal which has made it a common symbol of strength and pride. But also, I thought the way the lions looked away from the present moment was so true to how we often think — we obsess over the past, and fret about the future, neglecting the present. Appreciating this, I lastly felt that the symbol was an apt guide to advising: Comprehend (don’t obsess over) the past, plan for (don’t fret about) the future, and value (don’t neglect) the present moment. In addition to being a fitting name, of course, it gave me the perfect excuse to finally buy the pendant I had coveted for so long!
Beyond the Horizon
Like the Aker name itself, the wisdom that guides people to happy lives is also there, waiting, for the taking. The Ancient Egyptians looked to the horizon and saw a powerful symbol of the unknown. They conceived of Aker as a way to still their minds, to prevent them from indulging the tempting anxieties of past and present. The horizon still signifies to us in this way; though our species has circumvented and settled all over this planet, at any given moment, we can only see as far as our horizons permit. The horizon still limits us. Therefore, the horizon still frightens us.
My job is and has long been to help people see what’s on the other side of the horizon, assuring them that with the right attitude and habits, there’s nothing to fear but fear itself. In this way, a wealth manager is a kind of modern Aker — not a god (I’m not that egotistical), but an ambassador to the unknown, an illuminating force for the world that lies beyond the horizon.
I’ve worked in advisory positions for many, many years. Throughout this time, I’ve observed how this mindset proves itself again and again to be the healthiest approach to wealth management, and in life in general. I’ve advised families against choices that would compromise their futures, in terms of money and/or harmony. I’ve done my best to spread the gospel of enough — that life is a one-way ticket, and that happiness comes from setting and embracing limits. I’ve cautioned clients against fretting over momentary dips in the markets, as the markets tend to smile on those with long-term patience.
My Great Fortune
Each life is a process of relearning ageless wisdom, and my life is about making that process more peaceful. I’m lucky to have reached a stage of my career where that’s what I get to do, and I’m grateful for the serendipity that led me to Aker, such an apt symbol of my mission.
With shout outs to:
Pam Fink, owner and designer of Good Charma. In a time of great pain for me, Pam took a lava bracelet with a Buddha charm off of her wrist, smiled, and said I had to have it. The cold, craggy lava stones reminded me that I, too, could be resilient and get through the crisis at hand. And I did. The Buddha of course requires no words. I’ve worn it pretty much every day since then.
I own much of her jewelry, most visibly her spectacular charm bracelets — a collection I began in 2000 when she and I first met. My two doodles (and the pets of many friends) are festooned with her Dog Charma charms. As is Romeo, my god-cat, and now owner of my dear friend, Diane Lowman.
Speaking of, Diane Lowman is one of the providers of many charms (and joys) in my life. She was my college roommate of four years, my best friend of many more, and a brilliant author in her own right, who recently inspired me to get skull charm matching anklets from Good Charma—you can read about it here: My Ankles.
If you’re intrigued by learning from the wisdom of other gods, you can sign up for my future blogs here. Of course, please don’t hesitate to reach out with your thoughts. I’m always eager to discuss matters financial, personal, and jewelry-related!
Last but not least, Click here to download a printable PDF of this article.