In learning about technical analysis, there are many terms for what can be potentially the top of the mountain climb on a chart, the highest peak before the fall. There is a hanging man, dark cloud cover, shooting star, or a gravestone doji. All can be ominous candlesticks or candlestick patterns illustrating the top of the climb, showing the next move will most likely be down.
In studying all of these patterns and types of bars, I was allured and excited to learn to exercise a whole other part of my brain. Analyzing these patterns and understanding their meanings was simply intriguing to me. That intrigue remains, but this week I have a deeper connection to the life of these patterns.
They are just colored sticks on the computer screen, some green and some red, some with long shadows and some horizontally flat. Yet, this week, I fully understood their power. The power within these candlesticks is created by the power of mass psychological panic, or hope. This week, I have seen panic.
I never thought, as I was studying over the past months, that I would cry upon seeing another long red candlestick. I cried because it was such a strong symbol of the sadness, fear and pain that the world is feeling. This may sound dramatic, and indeed it is compared to the symbols and images of despair currently happening in Japan. Yet, for me, it truly hit home how powerful these patterns are in communicating the simple and stark reality of panic.
It was much easier to enjoy the simplicity in the meaning of these candlesticks when they were long and green and climbing up into a seemingly endless blue sky over the past few months - that was a symbol of hope.
I learned today that there are people, traders, investors, who buy at the bottom. It sounds as if they are waiting in those valleys, looking up at the rocks falling down from the cliff, with the knowledge, with the hope, that they can use those rocks to rebuild. It sounds as if those people will not only hold enough positivity and strength to rebuild Japan and the psychological health of those who have suffered, but also will hold enough hope to create those next smaller, but significant, green bars climbing upward. Is this not the same hope and spirit that has moved us all forward during dark hours? No matter how many more red candles may come our way, I will continue to stand firm with those waiting patiently, gathering their strength, to rebuild.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Is This Really All Up To Me?
After being told that programs I loved were being cut, people I adored were being transferred, and clients I admired were without services on and off for the past fifteen years, something happened to me.
It was a quiet change. One I hadn't realized. It was a change that left me feeling numb and lifeless by the last year. It was a feeling of defeat. I was always the Polyanna in the room, the punching bag that kept bouncing back up after every knockdown, until I just didn't anymore. I still put on a good game face, one of hope and resilience, but something in my soul was simply dark. I left the job.
After the past six months of being with family, friends, nature, music, time for cooking, reading, singing and learning, I found myself in there. I didn't go anywhere. I wasn't actually lifeless inside. It is amazing how a little light can still remain in the middle of that darkness.
Then, I was given a gift. A gift of choice. A gift of deciding what to do. It really was all up to me now. There is no boss standing in the room telling me that I can't praise my staff or that I am doing a poor job because I don't follow the rules. There is no boss telling me that another program will be cut and I just have to suck it up. There is no boss sitting in the room telling me that I care too much about my clients and staff. There is no boss sitting in the room watching my every move and verbally beating the hope out of me.
I am here everyday, deciding that what I wanted to do before is still doable. I am here everyday, deciding it is all up to me to embrace the hope, perseverance, compassion, love and joy that is a natural and blessed part of who I am. I can share all of this with the world in any way I want without anyone telling me I can't.
So, I choose to continue on this path. I choose to no longer fear the power that I have to really make a difference. I choose to be as wildly hopeful and optimistic as I was before anybody ever told me I couldn't be. I choose to make money, lots of money trading, so that I can reach my ultimate goals. My goals are:
1. To invest in the resilience of people, to provide holistic healing centers for anybody in need, no matter what their background or ability to pay.
2. To create a fund for community and school gardens around the country.
3. To take care of my family.
It is really all up to me. It is time to get out of my way.
It was a quiet change. One I hadn't realized. It was a change that left me feeling numb and lifeless by the last year. It was a feeling of defeat. I was always the Polyanna in the room, the punching bag that kept bouncing back up after every knockdown, until I just didn't anymore. I still put on a good game face, one of hope and resilience, but something in my soul was simply dark. I left the job.
After the past six months of being with family, friends, nature, music, time for cooking, reading, singing and learning, I found myself in there. I didn't go anywhere. I wasn't actually lifeless inside. It is amazing how a little light can still remain in the middle of that darkness.
Then, I was given a gift. A gift of choice. A gift of deciding what to do. It really was all up to me now. There is no boss standing in the room telling me that I can't praise my staff or that I am doing a poor job because I don't follow the rules. There is no boss telling me that another program will be cut and I just have to suck it up. There is no boss sitting in the room telling me that I care too much about my clients and staff. There is no boss sitting in the room watching my every move and verbally beating the hope out of me.
I am here everyday, deciding that what I wanted to do before is still doable. I am here everyday, deciding it is all up to me to embrace the hope, perseverance, compassion, love and joy that is a natural and blessed part of who I am. I can share all of this with the world in any way I want without anyone telling me I can't.
So, I choose to continue on this path. I choose to no longer fear the power that I have to really make a difference. I choose to be as wildly hopeful and optimistic as I was before anybody ever told me I couldn't be. I choose to make money, lots of money trading, so that I can reach my ultimate goals. My goals are:
1. To invest in the resilience of people, to provide holistic healing centers for anybody in need, no matter what their background or ability to pay.
2. To create a fund for community and school gardens around the country.
3. To take care of my family.
It is really all up to me. It is time to get out of my way.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Does Gold Have an End?!?!
If only I had listened to my little brother? Who knew that he would know more about investing than I do? He told me to buy gold 2 years ago, and I didn't. Horrible of me.
Now, I sit and look at it and wonder - how much higher can it go? Does it have an end? If I get in now will I be one of those sad sad cases who chased a stock at its high? Hmmmm....
What is amazing to me is that when trading everything seems so clear and accurate when looking backwards! It is very hard to predict what will happen in the future. So, I suppose if I were to buy into gold now and it was to fall right after, then I would say, "Oh yes, that was so clear. Why did I buy in?" And, the opposite is true. If I were to not buy into gold and then it continues to go up the next year I would say, "Oh yes, that was so clear. Why didn't I buy in?"
In the end, I am learning more and more that the stock market is similar to life in some important ways:
1. Hindsight is 20/20.
2. It is only after decisions have been made that we learn the lessons.
3. Everything that goes up, must come down, we just never know when.
4. You can't enjoy the ride unless you get on.
5. You can't experience the ride at all unless you get on.
6. Regrets and second guessing only leads to more regrets and second guessing.
And, most important lesson of today for me -
Being open to and accepting the present moment makes all the difference.
So, the answer to "does gold have an end?" Nobody knows for sure and I'm okay with that.
Now, I sit and look at it and wonder - how much higher can it go? Does it have an end? If I get in now will I be one of those sad sad cases who chased a stock at its high? Hmmmm....
What is amazing to me is that when trading everything seems so clear and accurate when looking backwards! It is very hard to predict what will happen in the future. So, I suppose if I were to buy into gold now and it was to fall right after, then I would say, "Oh yes, that was so clear. Why did I buy in?" And, the opposite is true. If I were to not buy into gold and then it continues to go up the next year I would say, "Oh yes, that was so clear. Why didn't I buy in?"
In the end, I am learning more and more that the stock market is similar to life in some important ways:
1. Hindsight is 20/20.
2. It is only after decisions have been made that we learn the lessons.
3. Everything that goes up, must come down, we just never know when.
4. You can't enjoy the ride unless you get on.
5. You can't experience the ride at all unless you get on.
6. Regrets and second guessing only leads to more regrets and second guessing.
And, most important lesson of today for me -
Being open to and accepting the present moment makes all the difference.
So, the answer to "does gold have an end?" Nobody knows for sure and I'm okay with that.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Friday, November 12, 2010
One Day
I like to think that one day I will look back. One day, perhaps 5 or 10 years from now, I will look back on this time and recall to anyone willing to listen,
"I learned how to trade during a time of no sense. I learned to trade during the illusion of hope of QE2, the reality of QE2, and the rise of gold. I learned to trade when volume was low, when people were skeptical, and choppiness was at an all time high. I learned to trade when October was actually a month of stock market gains and when global currency wars and riots in Europe broke out in November.
But, most of all, I learned how to trade with a supportive, encouraging, and laughter-inducing family and group of friends by my side. What a difference my small part of the world made for me as I learned how to trade in this big world."
One day, that will be the story of what life was like when I started to trade.
"I learned how to trade during a time of no sense. I learned to trade during the illusion of hope of QE2, the reality of QE2, and the rise of gold. I learned to trade when volume was low, when people were skeptical, and choppiness was at an all time high. I learned to trade when October was actually a month of stock market gains and when global currency wars and riots in Europe broke out in November.
But, most of all, I learned how to trade with a supportive, encouraging, and laughter-inducing family and group of friends by my side. What a difference my small part of the world made for me as I learned how to trade in this big world."
One day, that will be the story of what life was like when I started to trade.
Monday, October 18, 2010
Facing the Fear, Apple Style
Up until today I loved apples. In fact my husband and I just went apple picking, made a pie and enjoyed the whole experience. Now, I am no longer a big fan of apples.
To be more specific, I need distance from Apple.
In reality, I was given a wonderful lesson today, and I was able to break my consistently flat streak today and make a trade!
Before I get to the positive perspective I currently have on all of today's events, let's recap....
I have learned from Toni Turner, a fabulous mentor, to not buy shares of a stock before an earnings report. I have learned to not go with the hype of the masses. I have learned to not buy a stock that is overbought. I have learned that what goes up must come down.
So, when I sat there at 3:47pm EST contemplating still whether or not I should buy shares of Apple, I reminded myself of all that I have learned, and of course thought, "No, I should not buy Apple right now."
3:48pm - next thought - Google went up $40 after their earnings report
3:49pm - Apple's earnings is sure to be great
3:50pm - If Apple's earnings isn't as great, but still great, people will take some profits
3:51pm - I haven't bought a stock in 3 weeks because I second guess and overanalyze
3:52pm - I should face my fear already and buy this stock
3:53pm - Pull the trigger
3:54p - Push the button
3:55pm - Oh no, what did I just do?!
After the close of the market I saw that the price was already starting to go down in after hours trading. I had a chance to sell, but tried to convince myself that once the earnings came out it would all be good. I set a stop, so I was okay, even though my stop wouldn't make me happy, at least it was there.
I waited for the earnings report, saw that IBM started dropping even after their earnings were good because the report wasn't as good as hoped. Hmmmmm, I decided, I will sell Apple because this just wasn't going to be good. If I sold then it wouldn't be a big loss.
Then, just then, I learned something interesting - trading can be halted right before an earnings report comes out. And, guess how I learned that? I went to sell Apple at a slight loss, but couldn't. Trading was halted. What the heck is that? Who decided they have the power to do that? Who made up that rule? Who makes up any of these rules?
So, I waited for the next longest 12 minutes of my life as they reported Apples earnings were better, but not as good as hoped. I cursed the lady on CNBC for making the report sound disappointing because I thought of how that was influencing traders who were waiting to jump back in and trade once the halt was lifted.
Trading started again and the price was a full $22 less than what I paid for it. I was stopped out, with a larger loss than I would have ever anticipated I would have in this new endeavor of mine.
How can it be that thousands of traders out there all agreed that the direction of this stock would be down? How can it be that they all decided this ahead of time and at the same time? Where and when was this decision made by them and why was I not invited to that meeting?
Why did that lady on CNBC have to make it sound like Apple performed poorly when in fact that wasn't true?
I could truly point fingers all day, but now, as I sit here typing, what it comes down to is only the decision I made. This has nothing to do with anybody else but me.
Of course, it took my husband picking me up out of fetal position while crying like a toddler to give me a hug and a reassuring, "you are learning and it is okay" speech, as well as a snickers bar and some important self-reflection to get to this point, but I am here now and I am going to try to hold onto it.
Lessons learned.
1. The market didn't teach me today. I taught me today.
2. I do know the best decisions to make - now I need to trust in myself.
3. Everything that happens in life is a gift, an opportunity to learn.
4. I am grateful to have lived another day to learn again tomorrow.
5. And, most of all, I faced my fear, placed a trade that I knew wasn't a good one and I survived just fine. This can only mean that if I can place a trade that isn't good in the face of my fear, I can definitely place better trades in the face of my fear.
And, perhaps, one day, after facing that fear enough, its energy will fade away.
To be more specific, I need distance from Apple.
In reality, I was given a wonderful lesson today, and I was able to break my consistently flat streak today and make a trade!
Before I get to the positive perspective I currently have on all of today's events, let's recap....
I have learned from Toni Turner, a fabulous mentor, to not buy shares of a stock before an earnings report. I have learned to not go with the hype of the masses. I have learned to not buy a stock that is overbought. I have learned that what goes up must come down.
So, when I sat there at 3:47pm EST contemplating still whether or not I should buy shares of Apple, I reminded myself of all that I have learned, and of course thought, "No, I should not buy Apple right now."
3:48pm - next thought - Google went up $40 after their earnings report
3:49pm - Apple's earnings is sure to be great
3:50pm - If Apple's earnings isn't as great, but still great, people will take some profits
3:51pm - I haven't bought a stock in 3 weeks because I second guess and overanalyze
3:52pm - I should face my fear already and buy this stock
3:53pm - Pull the trigger
3:54p - Push the button
3:55pm - Oh no, what did I just do?!
After the close of the market I saw that the price was already starting to go down in after hours trading. I had a chance to sell, but tried to convince myself that once the earnings came out it would all be good. I set a stop, so I was okay, even though my stop wouldn't make me happy, at least it was there.
I waited for the earnings report, saw that IBM started dropping even after their earnings were good because the report wasn't as good as hoped. Hmmmmm, I decided, I will sell Apple because this just wasn't going to be good. If I sold then it wouldn't be a big loss.
Then, just then, I learned something interesting - trading can be halted right before an earnings report comes out. And, guess how I learned that? I went to sell Apple at a slight loss, but couldn't. Trading was halted. What the heck is that? Who decided they have the power to do that? Who made up that rule? Who makes up any of these rules?
So, I waited for the next longest 12 minutes of my life as they reported Apples earnings were better, but not as good as hoped. I cursed the lady on CNBC for making the report sound disappointing because I thought of how that was influencing traders who were waiting to jump back in and trade once the halt was lifted.
Trading started again and the price was a full $22 less than what I paid for it. I was stopped out, with a larger loss than I would have ever anticipated I would have in this new endeavor of mine.
How can it be that thousands of traders out there all agreed that the direction of this stock would be down? How can it be that they all decided this ahead of time and at the same time? Where and when was this decision made by them and why was I not invited to that meeting?
Why did that lady on CNBC have to make it sound like Apple performed poorly when in fact that wasn't true?
I could truly point fingers all day, but now, as I sit here typing, what it comes down to is only the decision I made. This has nothing to do with anybody else but me.
Of course, it took my husband picking me up out of fetal position while crying like a toddler to give me a hug and a reassuring, "you are learning and it is okay" speech, as well as a snickers bar and some important self-reflection to get to this point, but I am here now and I am going to try to hold onto it.
Lessons learned.
1. The market didn't teach me today. I taught me today.
2. I do know the best decisions to make - now I need to trust in myself.
3. Everything that happens in life is a gift, an opportunity to learn.
4. I am grateful to have lived another day to learn again tomorrow.
5. And, most of all, I faced my fear, placed a trade that I knew wasn't a good one and I survived just fine. This can only mean that if I can place a trade that isn't good in the face of my fear, I can definitely place better trades in the face of my fear.
And, perhaps, one day, after facing that fear enough, its energy will fade away.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
That was a long run
I just saw that I ended my last post about going for a run - that was a long run! I found out a lot along the way, mainly because of a good friend and mentor who told me about a book - Trading in the Zone. If you have not read it, you truly must go do so now.
I am not done with the book yet, but must say that I am already beginning to unlock the mystery of my hesitation in trading, and am realizing that this is actually normal and common for other traders as well. I did what I normally do, studied and learned as much as possible, but then, I froze. As I understand it so far I need to develop a mindset for trading, one which does not function based on fear, but of acceptance - isn't that a great way to live life too!?!
So, I continue, learning and accepting, accepting and learning. Tomorrow will only be better - and will be exactly what it will be.
I am not done with the book yet, but must say that I am already beginning to unlock the mystery of my hesitation in trading, and am realizing that this is actually normal and common for other traders as well. I did what I normally do, studied and learned as much as possible, but then, I froze. As I understand it so far I need to develop a mindset for trading, one which does not function based on fear, but of acceptance - isn't that a great way to live life too!?!
So, I continue, learning and accepting, accepting and learning. Tomorrow will only be better - and will be exactly what it will be.
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