Hope Springs Eternal

Isn’t happiness built on optimism?  After all, aren’t we happier if we believe our spouse loves us, that we are good at what we do, and that we make a difference in the lives of others?  We can’t always know for sure if all of this is true…but we can hope.  It is hopefulness, and our actions based on hopefulness, that makes happiness possible. 

Hope can permeate feelings of happiness in all areas of our lives, including investing.  We have to be hopeful and optimistic that investing for the long-term is worth the price of short-term market fluctuations if we want to be successful in the markets.  So what do you choose to believe when the markets go up and down?  Do you believe in optimistic outcomes or are you devoid of hope and filled with fear?

Our beliefs drive our actions.  I do not know whether the next 20% movement in the market will be up or down.  Statistically, 2/3’s of the time it’s up.  Will it benefit me to spend my time worrying about the down market or should I be optimistic and know that the market will go up sooner or later?  With a belief in a systematic, unemotional, and diversified investment philosophy, we can stay hopeful and true to the process of selling high and buying low.

 My yard is bland today.  It’s damp, cold and icy, yet I have faith that spring is coming so I continue to prepare and plan for better days.  I spent the winter fertilizing, trimming, cutting and planting because I know this cold, dreary winter will not last forever.  When you have an optimistic, hopeful outlook you can continue to act on a plan that is appropriate no matter what the season.

Do you have a plan? If you’ve been devoid of hope, change your belief and plan for the future!  If you have a plan, and a hopeful outlook, then go out, and embrace the beauty of spring and all that nature brings in a process that is so unpredictable yet so predictably beautiful!