Desiderata – December 2021

By Teri | December 29, 2021

Valencia, Spain; 30th Mar 2020: Applause tribute to all health workers. Every day at 8pm the whole country pays tribute through a prolonged applause to the work being carried out by health workers to combat the Covid 19 pandemic. ©Media+Media/Alamy Live News

Is it really December ?

I thought 2021 would be significantly better than 2020. COVID would finally go away. We would be free of masks. Free to go shopping or dining or traveling unencumbered.

The economy would recover from the COVID induced recession. We had a few moments where that looked possible.

And then the Greeks arrived. Delta. Omicron.

The supply chain collapsed. Inflation appeared.

Meme stocks are but a distant meme-ory.

But there is good news for investors! A bright star in a murky universe.

As of December 17th the year-to-date return of the S&P 500 is a touch above 24%.

This is the third year in a row of double digit returns for the S&P 500.

In the bond market interest rates rose throughout the year. The 10-year Treasury bond began the year at 93 basis point, less than 1%.

As of last Friday December 17th the rate on the Treasury Ten year was 1.41%.

When interest rates rise, bond prices decline. The major bond indices were slightly negative for the year. But only slightly.

Yea for investors!

December is a time of year to reflect and look forward. Looking forward is about perspective.

Reading Desiderata at least once a year gives me the perspective I need.

Yes Teri, it is December, again.

Wishing you all the best for 2022!

Desiderata

By Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

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