When Everything Feels Down — Market, News, Energy
How are you today?
As for me, my answer is, “I could be a lot better.” Yup, as I write this piece, the PSEi is again below 6,000, my news feed shows me the sad news of Emman Atienza’s death (which affects me as a parent), more corruption cases yet still no one behind prison bars, plus my own energy level is still low having gotten sick during the last leg of our US trip.
I know I’m not alone. Many of you may also be feeling off. There’s a certain heaviness in the air and many are getting sick—not just physically but sick and tired of what’s happening and the seemingly absence of a light at the end of the dark tunnel we’ve been in for quite some time now.
Trust has been taking a beating in our society and we have to be careful about this. It’s because trust is the invisible currency that makes everything work—markets, institutions, and relationships. When it’s shaken everything wobbles—stocks fall, confidence erodes, and even our motivation to do what is right gets tested. You hear people say, “What’s the point of being honest when those who cheat continue to be scot-free? Why pay taxes when politicians and their partners will just steal the money to fund their impossible lifestyles?”
This reminds me of the questions raised by some who are struggling financially, “Why should I still save and invest when I’m already old and it’s too late. Isn’t it useless to do so? Shouldn’t I just enjoy the money that I have?”
What do you think of that line of thinking? Isn’t it an irresponsible way to live your life? Someone in this situation should always remember that not doing anything to improve one’s financial condition is a burden to loved ones and the society in general.
So, it’s the same thing for the first set of questions about the point of being honest and paying taxes. Just because many of our politicians are crooks doesn’t mean that we should also follow their lead. Even if it’s hard to swallow it, we should continue to live our lives to our own moral standards. To do otherwise is to allow them not just to rob us of our money but also of our own decency.
Here are other random thoughts that can help us get out of the funk.
On the matter of raising your children, Emman’s tragic story should remind all parents that our presence is really more important than presents. I know that all parents just do their best for their children and there is no judgment here, but really, be there physically and emotionally for them. Set very clear and implementable rules for them to follow and don’t leave them alone until their Makatwirang Mak (their rational brain) is fully developed at age 25 (for some even later). I remember in my first book, Raising Pinoy Boys when I interviewed Lianne, the mother of Chris Tiu, she said, “We do not want to send our children to study abroad even for college, unless a parent or grandparent can live with them.” This nugget of parenting wisdom is even more important now with social media being their constant companion everyday, exposing them to the whole world.
The first 25 years of our children’s lives will go fast. I know this very well as all three of mine are past this age already. Enjoy this phase, and rephrase the “can-have-it-all” mentality to “can have it all but not all at the same time.” Yes, let’s honor all the seasons in our life. (Read The Seasons in a Woman’s Life.)
On the matter of getting impatient with the market and that no one is still getting jailed (in fact, we see news of more acquittals!), first let’s all express the frustration, “$#@&! (insert your curse words of choice)!” then breathe deeply. Let’s accept that justice, like investing, takes time, sometimes too much time. We can’t control the pace of the courts and the market, but we can control how we live while waiting. Just like investing, compounding only works if we don’t give up midway. Walang bibitaw!
On the matter of health, if you’re also recovering just like I am, let’s go back to the basic laws of health: Eat well, Sleep/Rest well, Move, and have happy moments.
Maybe the market will stay down for bit longer. Maybe justice will take longer than we want. Maybe my/your energy will take another week to fully return. But I know this: Cycles turn. Always.
So, let’s all hold on together—gently but firmly. Let’s continue to show up for our family and friends, do honest work, save and invest regularly, choose decency even when no one is looking, and live a peaceful and meaningful life.
Because in the end, that’s the kind of wealth no market crash, scandal, or tragedy can take away.
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This article is also published in Philstar.com
