CONTRARIAN WISDOM
I want to start this year off with a quote from one of the seminal works of 20th-century literature, Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. The following is an exchange between the anti-hero Yossarian and Major Danby, who represents the mind of military authority:
Major Danby replied indulgently with a superior smile,
"But Yossarian, what if everyone felt that way?"
"Then I’d certainly be a damn fool to feel any other way, wouldn’t I?"
This quote illustrates with extreme clarity that if the oddballs and doubters, i.e., those with a skeptical or contrarian view on the current authoritative mindset, were in the majority they wouldn’t be oddballs and doubters.
Remember that those who want to think for themselves will always be a minority. But hey, this is nothing to fear. Get as much information as you can, apply your reason to the situation and come up with answers to your own struggles in life. You possess the power to overcome your obstacles, both financial and otherwise.
As we enter 2007, choose to be in the minority. Choose your own mind and overcome the obstacles in your path. I will be there to help you every step of the way.
Wisdom about money, investing and life can be found anywhere. If you have a good quote you’d like me to share with your fellow Alert readers, send it to me, along with any comments, questions and suggestions you have about my radio show, newsletters, seminars, or anything else.
Jim Woods is a 30-plus-year veteran of the markets with varied experience as a broker, hedge fund trader, financial writer, author and newsletter editor.
His books include co-authoring, “Billion Dollar Green: Profit from the Eco Revolution,” and “The Wealth Shield: How to Invest and Protect Your Money from Another Stock Market Crash, Financial Crisis or Global Economic Collapse.” He’s also ghostwritten many books and articles, as well as edited content for some of the investment industry’s biggest luminaries. Read more about Jim Woods.
