Look for Silver Linings.

Bill Parrott |

In fifty years, I will be dead and the stock market will be higher.   Fifty years ago, our country was embroiled in the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War and a space race with Russia.  The late sixties were a difficult time for our county but we survived.  

Today, I’m deeply disturbed with the division in our country and I’ve never understood racism, bigotry or hatred.   The acts of white supremacist, neo-Nazi groups or the KKK are deplorable and have no place in our great nation.  Our country is in dark place but let’s try to find the good in our fellow man and look for silver linings.    

Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ~ John 3:20.

The stock market has had an average annual return of 10.2% since 1967 despite numerous issues and headwinds including the 1970s and 2000s. In 1973 and 1974 the stock market dropped over 41%.   The S&P 500 averaged .4% from 2000 to 2010, a lost decade for investors.   A $10,000 investment in the S&P 500 fifty years ago is worth $1.2 million today.   If this investment could run for another fifty years, it would be worth $165 million in the year 2067!

I’m confident our country and stock market will thrive over the next fifty years so what can you do today to make our world a better place for our children and grandchildren?  I’ve found it’s hard to hate while serving others.

The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. ~ 2 Corinthians 9:6.

Here are few suggestions to help you help others.

Serve.  Can you be a greeter, reader or youth leader at your Church, Synagogue, or Mosque?

Volunteer.  Can you volunteer at your local school or library? 

Give.  Can you use your financial resources to help those in need?

Mentor.  Can you mentor a young high school or college student who will benefit from your wisdom?

Teach.  Colleges, junior colleges, and high schools need educators with real world experience.  Can you use your knowledge to help the next generation succeed?

Join.  Civic organizations like Rotary, Kiwanis or the Lions Club are always looking for new members.  These groups do wonderful and amazing things in the communities they serve.

Travel.  Travel the world to meet new people and learn about their cultures.  Mark Twain said, “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.”

Love.  Love and hate can’t exist at the same time.  Introduce yourself to your neighbors and love on them!

…You shall love your neighbor as yourself. ~ Matthew 22:39

In fifty years, the world will be a better place so don’t worry about the current gyrations in the stock market or the political turmoil in Washington.  Instead, get out there and do some good!

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.  ~ Matthew 6:34.

Bill Parrott is the President and CEO of Parrott Wealth Management, LLC.  For more information on financial planning and investment management, please visit www.parrottwealth.com

August 18, 2017

Note: Your returns may differ than those posted in this blog.