What an absolute pleasure it is for me to stand before all of you as the incoming President of the Million Dollar Round Table. I am especially thrilled to be with all of you in Miami, the gateway to Latin America and a place where so many cultures are woven together into a diverse and wonderful human tapestry. A mis amigos latinoamericanos, un afectuoso saludo.
I come to all of you following on the footsteps of my friend and mentor, Ross Vanderwolf, and the 92 other men and women who came before us. Each one of you left your own special imprint reflected on the brand that has come to symbolize excellence.
My journey on the Executive Committee began 3 1/2 years ago when I received an unexpected phone call inviting me to become one of your leaders. This experience has been rewarding beyond words and has given me a front row seat into the positive impact our association is having around the globe. The primary mission of any association is to offer its members value and resources so they can enhance their professional lives. MDRT certainly does this by introducing us to some of the best thought leaders in our profession, by providing us valuable written and spoken resources and by giving us access to colleagues from every region of the world. And while these benefits are tremendously valuable, MDRT does so much more for us.
I’d like to take you back to the 1962 Annual Meeting. It took place in Montreal, Canada, at The Queen Elizabeth hotel. One of the Main Platform speakers that year was a philosopher. His name was Dr. Mortimer Adler. In his 40-minute presentation, he spoke about human potential and how we are all called to live what he referred to as “the good life.” He encouraged his audience of about 1,000 members to pay attention to how they spent their time and to examine whether their activities were repetitive and customary or ones that required critical thinking and creativity, resulting in learning and in growth.
He mentioned the need to attend to the three aspects of our lives. He called them human goods: first, the external goods such as wealth and comfort; second, the goods of the body — our health, strength and pleasures; and, third, the goods of the spirit — our moral and intellectual virtues. This message resonated with his audience, and the impact it had on our membership became permanent. See, Dr. Adler’s invitation to pay attention to our priorities became the precursor of what we all call the Whole Person concept, a holistic approach on how to live our lives. I believe that the reason MDRT plays such a significant part in the lives of its members is that it not only helps us improve our craft but also helps us elevate the quality of our lives. It brings us closer to our full human potential.
Those of you who have been members for a long time are often asked, “What makes you come year after year?” I have found that the most common reply to that question is: “It’s the people I know, the relationships I have built. It’s my MDRT friends from all over the world.” Many of you are part of a study group, and your connection with your team transcends business and has led to lifelong relationships. I am fortunate to be a member of the Maia Study Group. Maia in ancient Greek mythology was the goddess of growth. In my study group are four kind and brilliant women whom I consider my MDRT sisters and who have earned my admiration and my deep affection.
Those of you who are not yet part of a study group might be looking for that kind of community, one that will help you reach new heights in your professional lives. Well, if that’s the case, you are in the right place. Where else can we find like-minded people who are committed to excellence and professionalism? Where else can we experience the level of sharing that takes place in these meetings? Where else can we meet colleagues who also embrace the Whole Person way of life? There is only one place, and it is here.
Some of you might know that I was born in the United States but spent most of my childhood and early adulthood in Paraguay, a small country in the heart of South America. My parents had come to the United States right after they got married so that my father could complete his postgraduate medical training. During the six years they spent in the United States, three of their children were born. Once they returned to Paraguay, the family kept growing. In fact, it grew almost every year. See, my parents did not watch any television. After the ninth child was born, they decided, well, my mother decided that they were done. So what did they do? What do you think? They bought their first television set. To date, their nine children have given them 33 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
The apple certainly did not fall far from the tree. And to think that at some point I was an only child. Yes, I am the oldest of nine, the proud mother of four, and a grandmother to seven of the most adorable toddlers.
Life is good. Life can be exciting. But life is not always easy. Even when you think you’ve done everything right, sometimes life throws you a curveball. This morning I will share with you, my MDRT family, a very personal story, one I have not shared in public before.
I had been married to my high school sweetheart for over 20 years and had, by all counts, the perfect life: four healthy children, a promising career, a beautiful home, great friends — all in all, a wonderful life. My oldest son, Rick, had just started university, and there were only three more to send off. Our days were always very busy, but life was easy. And then it happened. My 21-year marriage ended abruptly amid addiction and infidelity. Almost overnight I became a single parent to four children, who I felt deserved a chance at a successful life. Financial demands followed when I realized that supporting my family would ultimately rest on me. My career as a financial advisor would no longer be something I did to supplement my husband’s much higher income. It would become a way to put food on the table and to ensure my children achieved their educational goals. My reality had changed unexpectedly, and I soon discovered there were no rescue boats; there was no Prince Charming. And, to my surprise, the world did not pause, not for a second.
And while my heart never stopped beating, it slowly quieted down, becoming almost silent. It has been said that circumstances don’t make us; they reveal us. They show the world what we are made of. I had no idea what I was made of, but I would soon find out. At that point I was facing, as I came to realize later, a turning point, a moment that would define me and potentially determine the course of the rest of my life. I could become a victim and blame others for my situation, or I could choose courage and forgiveness and ultimately love — love for myself and unconditional love for those who relied on me. I had a choice to make. Now, I could tell you that I had a sudden revelation that things were going to be OK, but that would not be true.
It took time for me to regain my faith in the future and to discover a new calling. This calling started off as a very soft whisper during my quiet moments and gradually felt more like an invitation, one that offered no guarantees but spoke of opportunities for impact and service to others. I spent many nights reading and reflecting, looking for comfort and inspiration from others who had gone through similar experiences. I know that many of you have faced difficult times, financial challenges, a serious illness, divorce, the loss of a loved one, and, while nothing can protect us from experiencing moments of pain, it helps to know that we are never alone. There are always those who are there to lift us just like others lifted them.
And then something magical happens. What you thought you could not handle suddenly becomes more manageable, and over time you realize the worst is over, and you are on your way to a new normal and from there to a place of renewed happiness. My days became more purposeful, driven by a firm commitment to regain control of my destiny. I started noticing the things I was grateful for, and the things I lacked became less important. My heartbeat gradually regained its strength as a new horizon opened up. I realized life was not necessarily getting easier; I was getting stronger. As Robert Jordan wrote in his novel “The Fires of Heaven”: “The oak fought the wind and was broken, the willow bent when it must and survived.”
As a result of this life-changing experience, I shifted the focus of my work. Until then, my clients were primarily physicians and business owners. As I was going through my divorce, I realized how challenging this process would be for those with little or no financial background. I decided to specialize in helping those going through divorce by not only providing them financial advice but also supporting them emotionally during their transition. I found great satisfaction at witnessing the transformation that occurred in my clients’ attitudes toward life, going from feeling victimized and hopeless to a place of power and possibilities. I soon realized that this shift aimed at improving the lives of others had significantly enhanced the quality of my own life. I was once again looking forward to the future.
I am excited to tell you that the rest of my family is also thriving, and they are here today. I would like to introduce them to you: my four children, Dr. Rick Bedoya, attorneys Natalie Bedoya and Gabe Bedoya, and Dr. Chris Bedoya. With them are two wonderful spouses, Dr. Alana Bedoya and Timothy McGinn, an attorney in beautiful Miami. Gabe’s wife, Liz, an accomplished dancer and university professor, was unable to join us. With three very young children at home, frankly, she got a pass. Two of my sisters, Lourdes and Lisa, are here and my brother, Nick, representing the rest of my very large family.
I am also profoundly grateful that the person I have admired the most for as long as I can remember traveled all the way from Paraguay to be here with us this morning. You know him as the man who never watched television, my father, Nicholas. My father, Nicholas, is in the audience to witness this moment in my life. In fact, he has been by his children’s sides at every important moment in all of our lives. He and my mother, who passed away 17 years ago, gave the nine of us the most valuable treasure a parent can give to their children: their time and a set of core values, values that have guided us throughout our lives.
From my father we learned that optimism has power. It raises our energy and makes our lives an exciting adventure. He taught us about work, hard work, not through words, but through his example. He showed us how, when your work has meaning and improves the lives of others, it is not just work; it is your purpose. My dad is still fulfilling his purpose by providing medical care to the poor and disadvantaged, although he officially retired last year at age 92. From my mother, we learned that the real things in life are not things and that the only way to live an authentic life is to bring yourself to the table. She loved with passion and had a way of making every one of her children and grandchildren feel worthy and unique. She left a legacy of love and integrity that fills my heart with gratitude. As I said earlier, when we start noticing the things we are grateful for, the things we lack become less important.
As members of the Million Dollar Round Table, we have much to be grateful for. Our association is financially sound and able to invest in a number of initiatives designed to enhance the benefits our members receive. The strength of our brand has resulted in significant membership growth, breaking records year after year. Total registration to our various meetings continues to exceed all previous records, allowing more of us to experience the magic of MDRT. But beyond all that, on a more personal level, each one of us is the rightful heir to MDRT’s rich legacy, one that has led so many members over the last 92 years to a more prosperous and meaningful life. And today, MDRT, in all its magnificence, is extending that same invitation to you and to me.
In a few short months, I will be assuming the presidency of our beloved association, and while the last three years have given me great insight into what it takes to lead an organization of this magnitude, it is still an awesome task. With your nomination, you have challenged me to stretch my boundaries and to once again reach deep into my core in search of wisdom in a higher purpose. I accept the challenge and promise you I will give it my very best. Let the journey continue.
Regina Bedoya, CLU, ChFC, of Juno Beach, Florida, is the First Vice President of the MDRT Executive Committee. She is a 26-year MDRT member with seven Court of the Table and three Top of the Table honors. She is also a Diamond Knight of the MDRT Foundation and a member of its Inner Circle Society. Bedoya is president of RB Financial Advisors, a financial consulting firm specializing in retirement and insurance planning. Bedoya’s volunteerism within MDRT includes speaking at several Annual Meetings, an MDRT Experience and Global Conference, and international industry conferences. She has been the recipient of the Irvin Konter Award, was named Prudential Palm Beach’s Agent of the Year twice, and is the recipient of the American Free Enterprise Companion Medal awarded by Palm Beach Atlantic University.