Wednesday, January 16, 2008

A Moment of Gratitude

I am feeling incredulous. Incredulous that in the last ten days my non-retirement portfolio has lost all the gains it had made in the past three years.

I am feeling grateful. Grateful that seventeen days ago I made the decision to use the money in my portfolio to pay off my debts and start a Roth IRA. Grateful that twelve days ago I liquidated my portfolio.

How did I get that lucky?!

Ever heard the quote "...the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too...."?

I made a commitment to get rid of my debt and max out my retirement. I started writing a blog. I talked to the folks at work and made arrangements for my retirement deductions. I made a decision to liquidate my non-retirement portfolio in order to help me do that. I made that commitment. But did providence move and help me act just in the nick of time?

Whether it did or it didn't, I am grateful!

Here's the rest of that quote (from www.Gaia.com)

Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness concerning all acts of initiative and creation. There is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans; that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too.

All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen events, meetings and material assistance which no one could have dreamed would have come their way.

I have learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: "Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now!"

-W.H. Murray

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