Why SeekingNorth?
To some, the choice of the name is intuitive. Others, who have apparently never been disoriented and sought safe passage, occasionally ask, "Why the name SeekingNorth?" Whether in the wilderness, on a ski slope, or at sea, whether using stars, the sun, a compass, or a global positioning device the first question typically asked when seeking direction is, "Which way is North?"
Navigation by the stars is an ancient knowledge. Mariners have used celestial navigation for thousands of years. Being able finding the North Star is a basic celestial navigation skill for all wilderness travelers or seafarers.
All points on a compass are measured relative to North. North is both zero and 360 degrees; the Alpha and Omega of the instrument. From North to East, South, West, and back to North the circle of the compass rose is complete. Northwest is not measured as 45 degrees to the left of North, but 315 degrees to the right of North.
It seems reasonable, therefore, that as families need guidance in planning wealth transfers they seek direction relative to a fixed point. That point may be where they are at the beginning of the process. In many cases, they have only the faintest idea where they are. As a starting point, they should seek North and plot their course from that point.
SeekingNorth, then, seems an appropriate title for this process.
©2008 Ronnie C. McClure, PhD, CPA