Stock Doc: The Pursuit of Happiness

I always tell my clients the story about my first and last boat ride as an innocent and young adult. I recommend that they also examine small moments in their lives and not take them for granted. It is important to step outside of yourself and take objective "snapshots" of events or moments as they are happening. As you grow older, these moments remembered with clarity can serve as a positive force when things get tough.

I suppose the lesson is that happiness, as elusive as it may seem, might not be as far away as you think. Sometimes you just have to look outside of your work and take in the moment objectively to recognize it sitting there with you.

So the next time you find yourself watching your child at play or walking down the beach with your significant other, take the snapshot in your mind and carry it with you everywhere. Stocks can go up and down without our control, but happy memories can remain consistently with us for the rest of our lives. Only we have the power to harness them.

Please write to the Stock Doc with your trading, emotional or investing dilemmas. Dr. Cass always welcomes comments and stories, for which he'll try to offer valuable solutions in later columns.