2018-09-25

Time is like a river that carries us forward into encounters with reality that require us to make decisions. We can't stop our movement down this river and we can't avoid those encounters. We can only approach them in the best possible way.

Just as shown above, Ray Dalio was not born a adventurer, but he chose to be one. During his time, the 1960s U.S, it was aspirational and inspirational to achieve great and noble goals. I believe, part because of his nature, part the national influences, that made him choose to take the risks. Like he said in the book:

I figured out the more shares I bought, the more money I would make. That was a dumb strategy, but I tripled my money. 

I've always been an independent thinker inclined to take risks in search of rewards---not just in the markets, but in most everything. I also feared boredom and mediocrity much more than I feared failure. For me, great is better than terrible, and terrible is better than mediocre, because terrible at least gives life flavor. 

At least terrible gives life flavor! What an independent thinker!