Good Riddance 2000's? Not me.

As the curtain falls on this decade, many are looking back and saying "good riddance."  Can't say I blame them.  It has been a rough decade for many.

We entered the decade worried about Y2K.  It began with hanging chads and the dot-com bust, 9/11 and the war in Iraq.  We had Hurricane Katrina, the housing ponzi scheme that led to the housing bust and the near collapse of our financial system.  The fall of Enron, Worldcom and Arthur Anderson near the beginning of the decade and Lehman, Bear Stearns near the end.  We had two major stock market crashes and recessions.  One was even dubbed The Great Recession.

Not for me.  This was the decade in which I met and married my wife.  I saw my two nephews born, making me an uncle, my parents grandparents, and beginning the next generation in my family.

While long hours cause some to lose themselves in their career, this decade I found myself in my career.  I am satisfied every day that my clients' lives are at least a little bit better because of the work done in our office.  Ten years ago, I could not have said that.  Ten years ago, I was worried about making a commission.

I have always believed that adversity leads to learning.  If that is true, our country has a lot to learn from this decade.  And I believe we have.

We learned that in the darkest of moments, patriotism still lives in America.  When we are attacked on our own soil, our political, religious and economic differences can be set aside and we can all pull together.

We have learned that housing prices don't just go up by double digits every year forever.  That you should actually have an income, some money and maybe have decent credit before you buy a house.

We learned that stocks are volatile, and that there is no magic formula.  "dot-com" does not ensure success, nor does asset allocation prevent all manner of losses.

We learned that our country is ready to elect an African-American man the president, but may not be ready to let him lead.

We learned that "too big to fail" simply means that they probably shouldn't get that big.

We learned that black swans exist.

I look forward to the next decade, and to learning what we will call it.  "The 10s"  or "the Teens" or the "Twenty Tens"?

Most of all, I look forward to what we, as a nation, will learn.  And what lies ahead for my wife and me.

Happy New Year to you.  May all of your dreams come true in the decade ahead.

 

Comments

[WellHeeled]

So are you back or what? I am dying to write a post telling all of blogosphere of your return! :)

[lamoneyguy]

I'm seriously trying! I'll never get back to the two posts/day rate that I once was, but I'm trying to return at least a couple of times per week.

I appreciate you hanging in there with me!

[Tom]

Happy New year to you! I'm glad you're back, or at least checking in more often. I've missed your posts.
Tom

[ugg boots]

I just walk around, suprised by your blog,please give more information.

[Alex Work]

I liked the 2000's...a lot of s*** happened, but to be honest, I kinda liked them after the "innocence" of the 90s (that's a purely personal point-of-view as they were my coming up years).

Alex Work
YourGoalBook.com

[send gifts to Pakistan]

Excellent post and wonderful blog, I really like this type of interesting articles

[Cheap Jordans]

Face up to the life with smile , no matter what will happened.

[missseo]

The Minnesota Wild have made Mike Yeo their new head coach bags, according to a person with knowledge of the decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press Thursday on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced the hire. The Wild called a Friday news conference at Xcel Energy Center in St.

[North Face Clearance]

to leave. "Yang Jun of Warcraft patted on the shoulder with a smile, just the smile looks somewhat unnatural. Nightmare side of the head are lightly brushed against him in the ground of Warcraft,

[android tablet]

Good post. I like it. Thanks for sharing. Appreciate it.Good

[MBT Shoes]

It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.

[jadeite bangle bracelet]

I liked the 2000's...a lot of s*** happened, but to be honest, I kinda liked them after the "innocence" of the 90s (that's a purely personal point-of-view as they were my coming up years).

[renlewei]

Gucci's four sons have joined, Gucci also by the career transition to family business.

[nike shox deliver]

Youth is open to not close the book, life is not the first set foot on the way back, love is thrown out on being paid the bet.

[mbt shoes clearance]

nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easi

[North Face Outlet]

Yes, all the above all post are informative and provide great information so thanks to share it

http://www.buynorthfacediscount.org

[Gucci]

Thank you so much.

I support you.

oh my!! i love you so much!!

[Cheap Jordan]

Thank you for this post We share the opinion on it and I really enjoy reading your article.

[mbt shoes clearance]

nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easi

[North face outlet]

Very nice site,In future i ready to hear more from you. I will be your faithful reader.

[cheap jordan 1]

Thanks for sharing. This website is to I too have to help. Very good.

[cheap north face]

We entered the decade worried about Y2K. It began with hanging chads and the dot-com bust

[cheap north face]

We learned that "too big to fail" simply means that they probably shouldn't get that big.

[Moncler Outlet]

i learn much from it.i am finding this blog every day.today i look it. thanks for your blog.

[Canada Goose Jacket]

a lot of editors have started to understand more about alternate options, they will obtained a little cameras, spend some money to hire nearby residents and individuals across the actors within the facilities