Watching the Markets

Exuberance is catching. All I ask is that we believe in ourselves and move forward. Believe that Americans can invent themselves out of any pickle. And do it with gusto!

This is the Memorial Day Weekend. What better time to get a fresh wind? It’s the end of spring and the beginning of summer. The weather has been stupendously beautiful! Warmer than normal. Just the right amount of rain so the world is green, green, green. The birds are singing. Kids are exploring their fresh outdoor world and getting ready for summer romps and adventures. The dog is delighted in the fresh smells. The wind roaring outside the car window is intoxicating. The ears and fur are flung straight back but the eyes sparkle through the eyelid slits.

Memorial Day is a time to remember our fallen heroes. Those soldiers who gave their lives so their America would prosper and go on to new heights of quality of life, freedom, creativity and assistance to the less fortunate; be they individuals or nations. Our fallen soldiers believed in us, the US, the America of their childhood. The possible with a capital P. They believed the best of America is ahead of us, not behind us.

So now is a good time. We have scads of available land. All the more to develop. We have an abundant inventory of previously owned homes. Prices are low and alluring. First time home buyers should be having a field day! Empty nesters should be able to sell their homes, downsize for the adventures ahead of them, and ample supplies of smaller homes await their new life chapter.

New careers beckon. New education degrees – from high school to college and graduate degrees in specialized fields. We are learning more. We are tooled for adapting to new technology, new visions of the global markets, and fresh new vistas of personal ‘can-dos’. We can do this. We can move ahead.

Watch the stock market. Catch the trends? Up one day, down the next? Skitterish? Worried about slowing markets? Concerned about Greece’s debt management? The Euro zone is wobbly? Stock prices swinging wildly. On what basis? On whose say so?

Why the market experts of course. They opine daily about too vigorous regulation. They complain daily about market interference from government. They seek certainty but glory in risk taking. Look at me! I’m the hero who will bring sanity to this market. They say this with fists pounding their chests. The all knowing look and hint of smile.

What are they smiling about? I’m not sure but I’m wondering if they think they have cornered the market on smart? Do they really think we don’t know what they are doing? Bleat praises about something good so the market rises. They sell stocks. Claim doom and gloom; the market falls. They buy stocks at low prices. Suddenly the signs are promising. The market rises. They sell again. 

Buy low; sell high. Whose doing this? The so called experts are. They are whooping and marshalling market sentiments. They are reading the tea leaves one way while manipulating the rest of us in another way. They win. We lose. And the turmoil continues.

I’m saying it is about time that America believes in itself again and takes action. There is a lot of work to be done. We excel at work. We find new tools to beat the odds. We invent new technology to make the work easier and more profitable. We solve problems. We invent new products. And services. We are inventive and creative. We are free and so we can do. 

We would do well in not listening to the naysayers. We would do well in listening to the small voice that is inside each of us. It is time to shed the armor of doubt and step forward. 

Don’t like the job market? Invent your own job and start doing it. Don’t like the news? Change it. Make better things happen. Don’t hide from it. Don’t ignore it. Don’t give in to it. 

The air is fresh in the morning. A new day. To explore and live in. And there is a huge cheering section ready to give you a leg up! 

Be glad for these times. They are filled with opportunities. All for you! 

Anonymous said it best: “The only person you should try to be better than, is the person you were yesterday.” 

Believe it. Believe in yourself. 

May 27, 2012