Hey everybody, it’s my birthday. Today is February 3rd, and I just turned 67. I still can’t believe it sometimes, how did that happen?

But the beautiful part is this: I’ve been investing in real estate for over 35 years, and I’m still here, still building, and still teaching.

So let’s start with a birthday toast.

Here’s to me. Here’s to you. Here’s to the best year ever, 2026.

This year is going to kick rock.

Cheers.

Embracing Life, Aging, and Authenticity

I’m having some Pinot Grigio today, my favorite, and celebrating with my “queen’s goblet.”

And yes, this is me, no filters, no extreme work done. Just real life, real aging, and real gratitude.

I’ve learned that aging is not something to fight, it’s something to embrace. My family has strong genes, and I’m grateful for that.

I’m not going down without a fight though, I’ll embrace the gray hair, but I’ll still keep my vibe.

The “Gold Brick” Life Strategy for 2026

This year, our motto is simple:

We are stacking gold bricks in 2026.

Every day, every action, every effort counts as a brick.

A gold brick can be:

• A workout
• A hard phone call
• A real estate deal
• A quiet day of rest
• Even just getting out of bed when life is hard

And sometimes, all you have is a small “coin”, and that still counts.

Because everything counts.

Living Through Hard Seasons

Life isn’t always easy. Some seasons are beautiful, others are incredibly painful.

This past year has been one of the hardest of my life.

I lost my dad. I lost a lifelong friend. My mother’s health is declining. And my daughter Christina was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer shortly after giving birth.

We are walking through a lot.

But even in hard seasons, we still build. We still move. We still stack gold bricks.

Faith, Healing, and Perspective

I often reflect on Ecclesiastes 3:

There is a time for everything, a time to be born, a time to die, a time to build, a time to tear down, a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

This reminds me that every season has purpose.

Even pain has a place in the bigger picture.

Faith gives structure when life feels uncertain. It reminds us that we are not alone in what we are going through.

The “Movie Day” Mindset and Managing Health

I’ve also learned to manage my health differently.

I deal with rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, and some days are very difficult.

So instead of saying “I feel terrible,” I use a simple code:

“It’s a movie day.”

That means I need rest, quiet, food, and recovery time, without overexplaining or giving power to pain.

It’s simple. It works. And it protects my mindset.

The Power of Small Wins

Not every win is big.

Sometimes a win is:

• Taking a shower
• Answering a call
• Getting out of bed
• Making one real estate outreach
• Simply showing up

Those are all gold bricks too.

And those bricks build your life.

Letting Go and Cleaning Life Out

This year, I also learned the power of letting go.

I cleaned out closets, removed years of excess, and donated or consigned items I no longer use.

Letting go of physical clutter creates space for mental clarity.

Sometimes building a better life starts with removing what no longer fits.

Relationships: Mending and Releasing

Life also teaches us about relationships.

Some relationships are meant to be repaired. Others are meant to be released.

We grow. People change. Values shift.

And sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is let go, or choose to mend what truly matters.

The Five Pillars of Life Balance

To stay grounded, I focus on five key areas of life:

• Financial health
• Spiritual health
• Physical health
• Emotional health
• Family relationships

If these five areas are strong, life becomes more stable and fulfilling.

Real Estate Mindset and Wealth Building

In business, especially real estate, success comes from consistency.

Not hype. Not shortcuts.

But:

• Daily action
• Follow-up
• Learning skills
• Staying focused on real opportunities

Real estate is still one of the most powerful wealth-building tools available, when done correctly.

Life in the Third Quarter

I see life in four quarters:

• 0–25
• 25–50
• 50–75
• 75–100

Right now, I’m in my third quarter.

And my goal is simple: finish strong, live fully, and make every remaining year count.

Final Message: Build a Life That Counts

2026 is not about perfection.

It’s about progress.

One gold brick at a time.

If you focus on your health, your faith, your family, and your purpose—you will build a life that matters.

So I’ll leave you with this question:

What gold brick are you stacking today?

Build Your Year One Gold Brick at a Time

Life doesn’t unfold in perfect seasons, it unfolds in real ones. Some bring growth, some bring loss, and some simply require us to keep going when things feel uncertain. But through it all, the message stays the same: progress is built one small, intentional action at a time.

That’s the heart of the “Gold Brick” strategy Dwan shares in this message. It’s not about doing everything perfectly, it’s about showing up, stacking what you can each day, and trusting that those small bricks eventually become something meaningful and strong.

If this message resonated with you, there’s more waiting for you inside Dwanderful, a real estate investing platform and podcast hosted by Dwan Bent-Twyford. It’s built to help both beginners and experienced investors learn how to create real wealth through proven real estate strategies.

Inside the site, you’ll also find valuable resources including Dwan’s free book Real Estate Lingo, designed to help you understand the language of investing, and her paid book Five Pillars of Real Estate Investing, which breaks down the core foundations of building long-term success in real estate.

You can also take a quick quiz game that helps you discover how you could potentially generate six figures in the next six months, whether you’re buying your first property or scaling your next deal. It only takes less than a minute to complete, but it’s designed to give you clarity on your next move.

Now, as we go back into Dwan’s 67th birthday message, remember this: every season has a purpose, every action counts, and every gold brick you stack is building the life you’re working toward. Contact us now!