Gaylien Haunani Quindica Rafferty

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT BEING YOUR AGE?
I am wiser, mature, worldly, well-traveled, and have a sufficient supply of common sense that serves me quite well.

DO YOU LIKE BEING 40+?
Absolutely, it beats being younger, immature, unwise, and not knowing it.

WHEN IN YOUR LIFE, SO FAR, HAVE YOU FELT MOST CONFIDENT, AND WHY?
Today, and each day, it keeps getting better.  I’ve learned to Be Present.  You can’t change the past, you surely cannot live in the future.  This confidence comes from working with my clients, knowing that I am doing what’s in their best interest, and enjoying this journey as they realize their dreams and goals and, sometimes, a lifestyle beyond their imaginations.

WHAT BRINGS YOU THE MOST JOY AT THIS AGE?
Being physically healthy, no pre-existing conditions, not on any medications. This allows me to have a full life that’s fun, and exciting and allows lots of travel.

WHAT IS YOUR SUPERPOWER?
RELATIONSHIPS: Creating and nurturing them.
My mother once said to one of my siblings that I was a good judge of character, picked friends carefully, and she and my dad had little reason to worry about the folks I hung out with.
I read people well and am always willing to invest in others and walk alongside them to bring out their best.

WHAT DO YOU CONSIDER YOUR GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT?
Being at peace with myself.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST EXTRAVAGANCE?
Living life to the fullest with my husband and all of the family and friends I consider amazing.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
My faith in Jesus Christ, who is my Lord and Savior.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE THING YOU HAVE CHECKED OFF YOUR BUCKET LIST?
After all the sacrifices my parents made in raising my 11 siblings and I, having a rewarding career, where I could make a difference in the world I lived in, was my way of showing them that their sacrifices were not in vain.  I became an entrepreneur in 1986 as a Financial Advisor, received my Certified Financial Planner designation, was named a Private Wealth Advisor, and continue to qualify for the Million Dollar Round Table-Top of the Table.  After 38 years in the Financial Services industry, I continue to make a difference in all of my clients’ lives.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?
Being married to the Love of my life for almost 6 years, enjoying good health, being financially and physically able to travel and meet other fun, outgoing, positive, like-minded people.

WHAT IS A TRAIT YOU ARE MOST PROUD OF?
My smile.

WHAT HARDSHIPS HAVE YOU ENDURED THAT YOU FEEL HAVE MADE YOU STRONGER?

1. Getting divorced and being a single parent, physically, emotionally and financially-1981
2. Becoming an entrepreneur-1986
3. Broken engagement-1993   
4. Financing a mortgage on my own-2000

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Live in the present and learn from your past.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR YOUNGER WOMEN?
Know and love yourself first.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO OR FAVORITE QUOTE?
Isaiah 40:31 But those that hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.

WHAT DO YOU MOST VALUE IN YOUR FRIENDS?
Say what you mean and do what you say!

HOW DID YOU CHANGE OVER THE YEARS?
By enduring the hardships I experienced, I gained wisdom, joy, patience, confidence, and lifetime friends.

IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING ABOUT YOURSELF, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I’d lose 30 pounds.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE FOR THE FUTURE GENERATIONS?

Seek out what you are gifted in and use it to serve others.  As the late Zig Ziglar said, “You can have everything in life you want if you help enough other people get what they want.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
I loved this experience of reflecting on who I am and how I got here.
THANK YOU, YVETTE!