It was the first day of school, and we were running late. I had *the audacity* to believe that I could sneak in a workout, make coffee, take a shower, get my son ready for school and get that Insta-worthy first day pic (you know the one, with the sign accompanied by the bright, beaming smile of our future generations bestowing hope to all of the interwebs?)

In the last 30 days, can you recall a time when you weren't on the same page financially with your partner? 40% of of divorces are a result of financial incompatibility. Have you aligned your spending habits, financial goals, income dynamic/imbalance, asset dynamic/imbalance? Values are relatively permanent personal beliefs about what we regard as important or desirable and tend to reflect our upbringing and change very little throughout our lifetime without conscious effort. Conflict results when values and spending are not aligned.

Have you ever wondered how palm trees are able to withstand the strong, treacherous conditions of hurricanes? They are designed to bend and flex, but not to break. And when the storm has passed, scientists have proven that palm trees are actually stronger than they were before the storm. Flexibility and adaptability in the face of adversity can strengthen humans as well.

Kristen Tomlan is the founder and CEO of DŌ, Cookie Dough Confections, the world’s first edible cookie dough confectionary.