Investing and Happiness...

Silence speaks much more than words.  The best way to win an argument is not by arguing, but by action.

I see people wasting time arguing about how the stock they are investing is much better than another stock. This will not make you wealthy and happy.

We invest not to prove someone right or wrong or for the sake of theories, but to create wealth.

Investing should be silent, with actions.

Over the years, things have become easier for people who believe in – long term value based investments.

Thanks to the wide reach technology, internet forums, blogs and business news channels…more and more people are being deprived of thinking long term.

As we have seen in recent times, this can lead to sharp falls in stock prices of as much as 25% on a single day, that too, just on the basis of some negative news or court cases… which might be of a temporary nature.

Internet trading enables people to take decisions within seconds – and act on temptations.

I believe, because of all this we can take advantages of such situations. :)

When markets are climbing high, most people feel tempted with a sense of desperation to rush in and put money. They feel left out, and can’t resist temptation to buy. You can suddenly see many providing stock recommendations (free or paid) in a bull market.

Money doesn’t come to people who are constantly scared and afraid.

Just be open, happy, large hearted and confident – you will automatically start attracting wealth.

The best investors do the least amount of activity.

Sitting in front of a screen with numbers and watching CNBC, is not really what a fulfilling life is all about.  This, again, will not make you wealthy and happy.

And this definitely cannot be a great and recommended way to create wealth.

Every investor today needs to avoid an army of advisors and watching hundreds of news channels. He just needs to have the power of wisdom and knowledge with him.

Cut out the noise around you … and listen to the silence.

Invest silently.. Consistently. Avoid temptations. Don’t waste energy arguing.

Soon, when the world panics again, it will be time for a select few to create extraordinary wealth.

Empathy...

I think, we should always try to see things form other people’s perspective..This allows us to empathize even if we disagree.

Compassion, I believe, gives you room to relate with people because we no longer regard them as a drain/threat.

The alternate path is to be stubborn and adamant idiot…unwilling to consider anyone else’s opinions and needs…living in shear ignorance.  I have so many live examples around me..so don’t ask more.

On Money and Happyness...

 “Money and success don’t change people;

  They merely amplify what is already there.”

         -Will Smith

I believe, money, in itself, is a means to an end and not an end unto itself. (just like success is a journey and not a destination..)

This is an important distinction.

Have you heard of those really..really unhappy and *rich* people ? The ones that get depressed or get crazy and drink their lives away or kill themselves?

They are the people, at the first place, who thought that money would bring them happiness.

This is a myth.

Sure, money can help you buy nice things and open up all kinds of doors. But if you don’t have that happiness already, all money is going to do is...give you more sadness...or boredom.

It is an amplifier, and whatever you already feel(and have) will become more intense as you get more of it. This includes unhappiness.

I think...the pursuit of money is really silly.

Instead, it should be the pursuit of things and ideas that bring you money. And for the things that money can help you do or achieve.

To chase money for money’s sake...? Naah!

Do you believe the same?

Nobel Peace Prize Mystery...

So, finally the Nobel Peace Prize mystery solved.

Need not complain anymore..

Source: http://www.slowpokecomics.com/strips/terminatrix.html

Happyness..Epicurus Style...

Here you go again…happiness!

So it turns out that Epicurus was right about Happiness..almost.

http://www.spring.org.uk/2007/12/hedonist-philosopher-epicurus-was-right.php

"If a little is not enough for you, nothing is." –Epicurus

All the more..what’s amusing to me is the fact that philosophers..since ages..have been keen to tell the rest of us.. “how to live” and “how to be happy”.

And..if we go by it…the advice comes to us “with the lustre of intellectual achievement”…WTF?

Isn’t this in itself .. Being happy for them?

So..this is what the dude(err..I mean Epicurus) suggested..

1. Don't fear the gods (or fate, or blind chance)
2. Don't worry about death
3. What is good is easy to get
4. What is terrible is easy to endure

Philosophy: Study of philosophy is central to happiness…can help us deal with both..our fear of death and.. of the gods.

Friendship: Friendship is one of the most important aspects of the good life. Not only does it give us many benefits, it also benefits our friends as well.

Now, this is interesting.. Epicurus advised against getting married. He wasn't that impressed with sex either saying we should count ourselves lucky if sex didn't cause anyone any harm(!).

Prudence: is an excellent way of making decisions. All decisions can be seen as leading to pleasure or pain. Thinking ahead, planning for the future with these possible outcomes in mind will help lead a pleasurable life.

Security: Well you have to agree to it as-is…

 

And, according to the modern school of thought…

1. Epicurus was wrong about the detached life and commune living

2. Epicurus was wrong about avoiding marriage
3. Pleasure is not the opposite of pain

And this is what our dude got right…

1. Using cognitive strategies to deal with death and pain
2. Friendships matter more than status or money
3. Happiness comes from moderate varied pleasure

Happiness...

Nothing new..but since I like talking about happiness...

Nothing is better than a drunken monkey...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYuIYNaKynI

This is another pretty old interesting story..

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3580626.stm

“Apparently a black bear broke into a cooler, guzzled 36 cans of beer, and then passed out. The irony is that the bear tried a can of Busch, but rejected it in favor of a local brand.”

Blogging Makes You Happy...

Yes...it's proven..

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2009/02/16/can-blogging-make-you-happier/

This is why i blog (occasionally)..