Messy Journey
SALtoshi Whitepaper #162
Fellow humans,
Acceptance has always been one of my greatest challenges to overcome. When I was a teenager, I did not accept myself or my life as it was, so I joined the military. When I was in the military, I did not accept my career as something to supplement my greatest potential, so I left. Since then, I’ve been struggling to accept my life of solitude, but last June I realized this is another stepping stone.
Accepting our individual realities is not easy. With an endless virtual world in our pockets, we’re constantly reminded of the way everybody else is living life. I have social media, Instagram is my favorite, and I just don’t post much about my struggles. Thank God for SALtoshi Whitepaper! This is where I come to offload my struggles, at least the parts I’m willing to share with the world.
Reflection is extremely important. In my opinion, we need to find quiet alone time as often as possible to reflect on what the **** just happened. I’m not talking about any specific event. I’m talking about the madness we experience and/or witness on a daily basis. It’s possible mental health has been on such a decline because we simply never stop to zoom out, and think about our lives.
Reflecting puts key components of my life into the best possible perspective. A single event can be interpreted in many ways. For example, last year my investment portfolio decreased by $117,691. One way to perceive this — why didn’t I cash out while I was ahead? IDIOT! Another way — I’ve survived another bear market, learned valuable lessons, and practiced extreme discipline.
An abundance of examples could be used to further drive home my point, which is all about perception and acceptance. We can’t change the past, and sometimes because of our past decisions, we can’t change the present. It is what it is. Losing $117k is not even on my list of poor decisions. In fact, I’m satisfied, and wouldn’t change a thing. I’ve made too many other poor choices to care about money.
I believe the worst choices we can make involve hurting others and hurting ourselves, which I’ve done a tremendous amount of times during my 33 years. I can only know this because I’ve taken the time to reflect, which hurts emotionally, but something beautiful happens after. Once the pain dissipates, and we feel deep regret, we’re left with the freedom to make a choice.
We could either:
Live the rest of our lives hiding in shame, hesitant to open ourselves in fear of being judged by the world, or
Embrace the concept and practice of acceptance, and learn to use our experiences to make ourselves better humans.
No successful people have clean records, even if none of their dirt has been documented. We all have skeletons in our closets, because we’re all guilty of something. What does this tell you? It tells me that we all have an opportunity to be forgiven, so that we can move on and at least try to be better. The struggle is real, and we will fail again, but the effort and rewards are worth the struggle.
No amount of righteousness in my future can erase the sins of my past. What’s done is done. However, it’s not just you and me who has sinned, it’s everybody! Jesus said in John 8:7, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” What do you think happened after? I’ll tell you — nobody threw a stone, and everybody walked away, because nobody is perfect.
Although we can share our lives with others and have a lot in common, we’re all walking slightly different paths. We all have our own mind, heart, soul and spirit, which means our experiences are unique. Our diversity makes life interesting. Next time you find yourself aware of your journey, no matter how messy, try to understand that you can choose the ending.
Until next time,
Salvatore Norge
P.S. — I’m mostly done investing in Stacks, because it’s purpose has been served.
“Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.” -PROVERBS 30:8-9
I’m not very wise. Never financial advice. Do your research.
You are more successful than most people I know. You have been brave enough to join the military right out of high school, and I feel we’re very successful in that career. You’ve traveled and explored. You’ve taught yourself about the financial world. You’ve always followed your heart and give it your all. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Stop worrying about others judging you ~that will never end. We are always judged by someone and it doesn’t matter. You are being true to yourself. You have always loved your family and you’ve given so much back to this world, yet you never brag about it. Keep doing what you’re doing. Don’t worry about what others say or think about you, as long as you aren’t hurting anyone then why does it matter what they say. You are a good man. Anawl is looking down on you smiling with pride. I’m am beyond proud to call you my son. I love you more than all the grains of sand in the whole world 💙