An exercise in futility. 

What’s the alternative?

I was about to rail, again, at the media’s irresponsible reporting.  They couldn’t wait to report last Friday that Sony and Samsung were expecting significant declines in profits for the next quarter or two.   

The emphasis was on the decline, not on the fact that both companies are still profitable, still generating positive cash flows or that the projection was only for a quarter or two.  When fear is rampant on main street, this kind of reporting is criminal.

On the same day, a 10-second sound byte announced that the 15^th province (15 of 18) in Iraq was taking over responsibility for policing itself.  Why didn’t we hear about numbers 2 through 14?  Why weren’t the press congratulating the Iraqis on the significant progress they’ve made or giving the U.S. military kudos for its role in this achievement?  Is it too much to ask that our media help rebuild relations between the U.S. and other countries? 

This is the path I was about to take when it dawned on me how successful my last effort had been.  It achieved nothing.  Then I asked myself “What can I do to help people on main street during this time?”  Immediately, the serenity prayer came to mind.  I share its opening with you now.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.

I cannot quickly change the media’s approach to reporting, if at all.  I can, however, offer you an antidote to their poison – the serenity prayer.

It’s counter-intuitive to realize that we can only control our own behavior.  That the stock market losses being reported are only paper losses until we actually sell.  That it’s our choice whether we allow the purveyors of fear access to our psyche.  The serenity prayer is your shield.  Use it well and often.

Please forward this message to friends that you know are especially troubled by the current economic conditions.  It may just afford them the peace they seek.  If you have suggestions for other ways I might be of service during these challenging times, let me know that as well.  You can reach me at dale@furtwengler.com.

Tags: counter-intuitive thinking

This entry was posted on Monday, October 27th, 2008 at 6:42 am and is filed under Finance, Leadership. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.