Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

1ST EXECUTION OF MARKET-BASED BUY STRATEGY FOR 2026

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

For those who wanted to follow along, this will be the first execution of my refined, structured Market-Based Buying Strategy for 2026 for investing well with minimal effort: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/a-structured-market-based-buying-strategy-for-investing-well-with-minimal-effort/.

If you are a High Risk (HR) investor, this post is for you – investors of all other risk categories can wait and do nothing if you want. If you aren’t sure what your investment risk category is, you can find it here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/investment-tools/

HR Investors: The S&P 500 index has dropped about 4.4% from its all-time high (a 3-5% drop in the S&P 500 index generally happens about three times a year on average) – so if it remains at its present level or drops a little more(~661 for the SPY ETF or ~6630 for the S&P 500 index would represent about a 5% drop), you might consider buying 33% or more (depending on your investment style and preference) of the cash you have available in your overall investment account into one of the major market index Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) (or you can split that across multiple major market indexes if you prefer). I anticipate there will be a more substantial decline in the overall S&P 500 index, but I could be wrong – and the longer and the deeper the drop you wait for, the greater the likelihood you will miss the rebound. So, HR investors might want to prepare to go ahead and buy – other investors might be more inclined to take their chances by waiting for a deeper drop. It’s your financial future so do what you think is best for you.

I currently track eight major market index ETFs: S&P 500 index (e.g., SPY ETF), an equal-weighted version of the S&P 500 Index (e.g., RSP ETF), the Total Stock Market index (e.g., VTI ETF), the Vanguard Value Index Fund ETF Shares (VTV – value stocks of large companies), the Nasdaq (e.g., QQQ ETF), a Mid-Cap Stock Index ETF (e.g., IJH ETF), Russell 2000 index (e.g., IWM ETF), and the EFA ETF (or something similar). The first seven are major U.S. based indexes, while the last one tracks international stocks of developed countries outside the U.S. and Canada.

Of the above major market index ETFs, the most attractive ones right now appear to be: IWM, IJH, and EFA based on my analysis – they are all pretty close right now so you can pick either one of these ETFs or split your investment across these if that is your preference. None of these indexes/ETFs are without risk, however. For example, in a slowing economy, the IWM (or SPSM which is the one I like since it only includes the profitable small businesses contained in the Russell 2000 index) tends to outperform in lower inflation economic environments, lower interest rate economic environments, and when the economy is performing well overall. This index also tends to drop the fastest and deepest in a slowing economy but rebounds sharply in the midst of the economic slowdown in anticipation of economic recovery (the SPSM is even more attractive than the IWM right now based on my analyses). So, if you are very concerned about these kinds of issues, then you might want to choose a different index to buy into or split your investment across different indexes. The IJH ETF has not been historically quite as risky as the IWM in a slowing economy and can serve as an intermediary to balance the risks between the small-cap indexes (such as the Russell 2000) and large cap indexes (such as the S&P 500, the Total Stock Market, and the Nasdaq). The EFA (or IEFA which is the one I like since the fees are lower) can be impacted by U.S. trade policy and has potential currency exchange risk as well since this index is not U.S. based – it is also the one most affected by oil prices as they rise. I anticipate the rise in oil prices to be a short-term issue, however, but I could be wrong. In terms of the potential currency exchange risk, a falling dollar tends to increase gains while a rising dollar tends to reduce gains. However, the currency exchange impact is not typically very substantial unless the dollar experiences big moves when it comes to the EFA ETF. You can read about the risks associated with the major stock market indexes here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/investment-tools/ (just scroll down to “UNIQUE DIFFERENCES IN STOCK MARKET INDEXES“).

Feel free to start buying in one or more of the aforementioned major market index ETFs if you are a HR investor and the S&P 500 remains close to where it closed today or drops a little more below that level. You can use the specific major market indexes above or use a different one that suits you. Just ensure the fees are at least as low as the ones identified above when buying. Some people like to split their investments across multiple indexes to help manage the risk so feel free to do the same.

You don’t have to be very precise when buying into the overall stock market – a gain is experienced 93% of the time over rolling 5-year periods and 100% of the time over rolling 10-year periods no matter when you buy. In sharp contrast, being a seller or waiting for drops to happen can be challenging in that you will be “wrong” 93% of the time over rolling 5-year periods and 100% of the time over rolling 10-year periods. So, you have to be very precise as a seller which is one reason higher risk investors should probably never (or rarely) sell. You can read more about this here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/investment-tools/ (just scroll down to item 1 under “KEY HISTORICAL STOCK MARKET TRENDS”).

Here are a few historical trends which might be helpful to keep in mind: A 3-5% drop in the S&P 500 index generally happens about three times a year, a 10% drop generally happens about once every 1.5 years, and a 20%+ drop generally happens about twice every five years. So, the deeper the drop you wait for before buying, the higher the likelihood you’ll miss a significant rebound. You can read more about this here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/investment-tools/ (just scroll down to item 2 under “KEY HISTORICAL STOCK MARKET TRENDS”).

You can learn about all of my investing techniques via my “Invest Like a Pro in 10 Minutes a Day!” series of 4 books where you can learn the “end to end” process to investing: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/.

Also, you can read all about my stock market activities here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/stock-market-activities

I wish you much investing success for 2026 (and beyond!).

selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #success #finance #stocks #investing #stockmarket #bonds #bondmarket

☆°▪︎ WHY WE DRIVE ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

We

drive

.

because

.

w

e

. 

might

find,

.

.

o

r

.

.

we

might

.

n

o

t

.

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

because

.

w

e

.

might

buy,

.

.

o

r

.

.

we

might

.

n

o

t

.

buy . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

.

.

.

we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

because

.

w

e

.

might

shine,

.

.

o

r

.

.

we

might

.

n

o

t

.

shine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We 

drive 

.

f

o

r

.

the

eyes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We 

drive 

.

f

o

r

.

the

smiles . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

f

o

r

.

the

highs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We 

drive 

.

f

o

r

.

what

might . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

because

.

w

e

. 

might

like,

.

.

o

r

.

.

we

might

.

n

o

t

.

like . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

because

.

w

e

. 

might

rhyme,

.

.

o

r

.

.

we

might

.

n

o

t

.

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

because

.

w

e

. 

might

surprise,

.

.

o

r

.

.

we

might

.

n

o

t

.

surprise . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We 

drive 

.

f

o

r

.

the

delight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We 

drive 

.

f

o

r

.

the

prize . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

f

o

r

.

the

rise . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We 

drive 

.

f

o

r

.

the

upside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

f

o

r

.

the

lights . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

f

o

r

.

the

lies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

f

o

r

.

the

climb . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

f

o

r

.

the

dive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

t

o

.

ignite . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

t

o

.

excite . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

t

o

.

entice . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive

.

t

o

.

energize . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

night,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

night,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

mile,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

mile,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

mile . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

time,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

time,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

try,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

try,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

j

u

s

t

–

–

–

to

arrive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

j

u

s

t

–

–

–

to

arrive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

drive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

j

u

s

t

–

–

–

to

arrive . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

to

.

f

e

e

l

.

alive.

Reflection: 

This is a reflective-themed poem I started writing one night when I was out downtown. The opening lines came to me, and the poem pretty much came into being from that. Initially, the opening lines contained the repeating phrase: “we ride” but after reflecting on the poem I concluded this was too passive for the message I was trying to capture and convey. I initially replaced the phrase with “we try” but that seemed too weak, so I then replaced that with “we drive” which seemed much better in the context of actively driving towards something – something much more forceful, deliberate, intentional, and reflective of what the poem is truly about. I played a wonderful, haunting gem of a song – “Fingertips” by Brian Jonestown Massacre in the background to create the “moodset” and inspire the writing of the poem. If you listen to this song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ YOUR EMPTY WORDS (MAKE IT WORSE) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Your

empty

words

.

w

e

r

e

.

all

I

heard . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ your

empty

words

.

m

a

k

e

.

it

worse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

hurts . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

hurts

.

t

o

.

learn

about

.

t

h

e

.

turn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

–

–

–

all

.

w

e

.

once

were . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

hurts

.

t

o

.

learn

about

.

t

h

e

.

turn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the

memories

loiter . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

blurrr . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

loiter . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

blurrr . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

loiter . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

blurrr . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

loiter . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

blurrr . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

n

–

–

–

turn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

toss . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

return . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

turn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

toss . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

return . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

return

.

t

o

.

the

urge

.

.

b

e

f

o

r

e

.

.

the

first . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

return . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

return

.

t

o

.

the

thirst

.

.

b

e

f

o

r

e

.

.

the

yearn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ they

return . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

return . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

return . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

return . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

past

pages

.

b

e

f

o

r

e

.

the

birth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

all

.

w

e

.

once

were . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

return

.

t

o

.

where

.

t

h

e

.

memories . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

t

i

l

l

–

–

–

loiter . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

blurrr . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

loiter . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

blurrr . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

loiter . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

blurrr . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

loiter . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

blurrr . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

hurts . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

hurts . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

hurts . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

hurts . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

hurts . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

hurts . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

hurts . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

it

hurts . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

your

empty

words . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

make

.

i

t

.

worse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

 ~ your

empty

words . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

make

.

i

t

.

worse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

the

memories

return . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

memories

loiter . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

linger . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

blurrr.

Reflection: This is a melancholy-themed poem where the affected party mourns a past that meant more to him/her than the other significant party – whether a friend, family member, or romantic partner. The opening lines came to me and I pretty much wrote the remainder of the poem from that.

☆°▪︎ THE SINGING SKIES (OF DAYS GONE BY) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There

.

a

r

e

.

places

.

t

h

a

t

.

reside

.

i

n

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

.

t

h

e

.

distant

tides

.

t

o

s

s

.

and

tumble . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

beneath

.

t

h

e

.

candlelight

smiles

.

.

o

f

.

.

rhapsodic

rhythm

.

a

n

d

.

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

toss

.

a

n

d

.

tumble . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

toss

.

a

n

d

.

tumble . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

toss

.

a

n

d

.

tumble . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

where

singing,

.

sentimental

skies

.

.

a

r

e

.

.

still

bright,

.

.

high,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ where

singing,

.

sentimental

skies

.

.

a

r

e

.

.

still

bright,

.

.

high,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

showering

shimmering

.

candlelight

smiles

.

.

o

f

.

.

rhapsodic

rhythm

.

a

n

d

.

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

So

.

m

a

n

y

.

times

.

i

n

.

the

distance

.

.

o

f

.

.

days

.

g

o

n

e

.

by . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

h

a

v

e

.

.

.

I

tried

.

t

o

.

find

.

t

h

a

t

.

pristine

place

.

l

e

f

t

.

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ so

.

m

a

n

y

.

times

.

h

a

v

e

.

I

tried . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

recreate

.

i

t

s

.

magic,

.

.

marvel,

.

.

shimmer,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

shine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

glimmer

.

i

s

.

never

.

a

s

.

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

n

o

r

–

–

–

the

warmth

.

a

s

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

glimmer

.

n

e

v

e

r 

.

as

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

n

o

r

–

–

–

the

warmth

.

a

s

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

s

–

–

–

the

pristine

paradise 

.

l

e

f

t

.

behind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

resides

.

i

n

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

resides

.

i

n

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

resides

.

i

n

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

can

never

.

a

g

a

i

n

.

beat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

never

.

a

g

a

i

n

.

breathe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

never

.

a

g

a

i

n

.

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

.

c

a

n

.

never

.

a

g

a

i

n

.

beat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

never

.

a

g

a

i

n

.

breathe . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

never

.

a

g

a

i

n

.

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

n

o

–

–

–

matter

.

h

o

w

.

hard

.

I

.

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no

matter

.

h

o

w

.

hard

.

I

.

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

it

.

w

a

s

.

not

.

t

h

e

.

place

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

created

.

t

h

e

.

candlelight

smiles

.

.

o

f

.

.

rhapsodic

rhythm

.

a

n

d

.

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

w

a

s

.

not

.

t

h

e

.

place

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

created

.

t

h

o

s

e

.

singing,

.

sentimental

skies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

bright,

.

.

high,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

w

a

s

.

not

.

t

h

e

.

place

.

w

h

i

c

h

.

created

.

t

h

e

.

the

glimmer

.

s

o

.

fine . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

warmth

.

s

o

.

kind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

this

.

i

s

.

why . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes

this

.

i

s

.

why . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

t

–

–

–

perfect,

.

pristine

paradise . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

c

a

n

–

–

–

now

.

o

n

l

y

.

reside

.

i

n

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

can

.

o

n

l

y

.

reside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

can

.

o

n

l

y

.

reside . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

can

.

n

o

w

.

only

reside

.

i

n

.

mind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

back

then . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

y

o

u

–

–

–

were

.

w

i

t

h

.

me

.

a

l

l

.

that

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

were

.

w

i

t

h

.

me

.

a

l

l

.

that

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

days

.

o

f

.

rhapsodic

rhythm

.

a

n

d

.

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ in

.

t

h

e

.

days

.

.

o

f

.

.

singing,

.

sentimental

skies.

Reflection: This is a romantic-themed poem where the romancer reflects back on a lost love from the distant past – knowing he/she may never experience the same marvel, magic, shimmer, or shine again. Of course, the nature of romances and relationships is that every one is different – so, any form of near replication is out of reach which means we must learn to cherish and appreciate the wonderful, beautiful times we have with others as they happen.

This poem came to mind while watching an old James Bond movie and hearing the theme song: “You Only Live Twice.” I found an instrumental Royal Philharmonic Orchestra version of the song which I played in the background to create the “moodset” and inspire the writing of the poem. If you listen to this song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it. I sometimes listen to old instrumental music like this every once in a while. It reminds me of my mother who used to love that kind of music and it causes me to reflect on simpler and perhaps more romantic times.

☆°▪︎ LOVE IN LOW LIGHT ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Love

.

i

n

.

low

light

.

.

i

s

.

.

the

wine

.

o

f

.

romantic

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Love

.

i

n

.

low

light

.

.

drives

.

u

n

t

i

l

.

we

die . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

drives . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

drives . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

drives

.

u

n

t

i

l

.

we

die . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

.

i

s

.

why

.

w

e

.

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ that

.

i

s

.

why

.

w

e

.

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

low

.

a

n

d

.

high . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

deep

.

a

n

d

.

wide . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day

.

a

n

d

.

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

all

.

o

u

r

.

might . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

all

.

o

u

r

.

might

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

love

.

i

n

.

low

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

–

–

–

candlelight

dances

.

a

n

d

.

dines

.

w

i

t

h

.

delight . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

–

–

–

the

prize

.

o

f

.

possibilities

align . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

love

.

i

n

.

low

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

ride

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

love

.

i

n

.

low

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

–

–

–

it

tugs

.

a

t

.

the

blinds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ we

ride

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

love

.

i

n

.

low

light . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

–

–

–

it

ties

.

a

n

d

.

binds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

ties

.

a

n

d

.

binds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

ties

.

a

n

d

.

binds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

ties

.

a

n

d

.

binds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

tugs

.

a

t

.

the

blinds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

ties

.

a

n

d

.

binds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

ties

.

a

n

d

.

binds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

ties

.

a

n

d

.

binds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

buys

.

e

v

e

r

y

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

buys

.

e

v

e

r

y

.

time . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

line,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

line,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

line . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

night,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

night,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

high,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

high,

.

.

a

f

t

e

r

.

.

high . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Love

.

i

n

.

low

light

.

.

a

l

w

a

y

s

.

.

decides . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

Love

.

i

n

.

low

light

.

.

a

l

w

a

y

s

.

.

buys . . . 

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

.

a

l

w

a

y

s

.

.

buys . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

.

a

l

w

a

y

s

.

.

buys . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

.

a

l

w

a

y

s

.

.

buys . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

decides . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

u

n

t

i

l

–

–

–

it

ties

.

a

n

d

.

binds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

u

n

t

i

l

–

–

–

it

ties

.

a

n

d

.

binds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

u

n

t

i

l

–

–

–

it

ties

.

a

n

d

.

binds . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

consumes

.

a

.

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

consumes

.

a

.

life . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

still

.

w

e

.

like

.

t

o

.

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ still

.

w

e

.

like

.

t

o

.

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

We

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

.

we

ride . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

love

.

i

n

.

low

light

.

.

i

s

.

.

the

wine

.

o

f

.

romantic

rhyme . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ love

.

i

n

.

low

light

.

.

drives

.

u

n

t

i

l

.

we

die . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

drives

.

.

u

n

t

i

l

.

.

we

die . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

drives . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

drives

.

.

u

n

t

i

l

.

.

we

die . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

drives . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

drives

.

.

u

n

t

i

l

.

.

we

die . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

drives . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

we

ride.

Reflection: This is a personal struggle-themed poem where the affected party is ever taunted and teased by “love in low light” – never seeming to get enough but always ending up getting too much. It seems he/she will never be happy, fulfilled, or satisfied in life, will always feel out of balance, and will eventually become consumed completely by the never-ending, “narcotic” pursuit. I’ve had several of these kinds of rapturous, rhapsodic, haunting, high-intensity experiences back in the days of my youth.

The words “love in low light” first came to mind and the poem pretty much took off from there. I played a wonderful gem of a song – the DJ David Padilla version of “Northern Spirit” by Kamaya Painters – in the background to create the “moodset” and inspire the writing of the poem. If you listen to this song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ A GAZE ACROSS THE LANES (THE TREMBLE AND SHAKE) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

You

.

w

e

r

e

.

cool

.

a

n

d

.

hard

.

i

n

.

your

ways . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

A

.

p

a

l

e

.

shade

.

w

a

s

.

the

.

o

n

l

y

.

warmth

that

.

y

o

u

.

gave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

I

knew

.

y

o

u

.

would

.

b

e

.

worth

.

t

h

e

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

knew

.

y

o

u

.

would

.

b

e

.

worth

.

t

h

e

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

in

.

t

h

e

.

distance

.

I

.

remained . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ in

.

t

h

e

.

distance

.

I

.

remained . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

In

those

.

d

a

y

s

.

you

.

h

a

d

.

a

.

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

t

i

l

l

.

.

.

I

wanted

.

y

o

u

.

just

.

t

h

e

.

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

wanted

.

y

o

u

.

just

.

t

h

e

.

same . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

.

d

a

y

s

.

when

.

y

o

u

.

had

.

a

.

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

in

.

t

h

e

.

distance

.

I

.

remained . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

In

.

t

h

e

.

distance

.

I

.

remained . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

In

.

t

h

e

.

distance

.

I

.

remained . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

In

.

t

h

e

.

distance

.

I

.

remained . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

u

n

t

i

l

.

.

.

the

day

.

I

.

felt

.

a

.

gaze

cross

.

t

h

e

.

lanes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

warming

embrace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

breath

upon

.

m

y

.

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

tremble

.

a

n

d

.

shake . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

!earthquake!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

!!Thunder!!

.

a

n

d

.

!!Rain!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

!!!HURRICANE!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

!!!!TIDAL!!!!

!!!!WAVE!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!!THEN!!!!!

!!!!!CAME!!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!!!THEN!!!!!!

!!!!!!CAME!!!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!!!!THEN!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!CAME!!!!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!!!!!THEN!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!CAME!!!!!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

.

.

–

–

–

All

hours

.

o

f

.

the

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

–

–

–

storm

!ROARED!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!RIVETED!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!RAGED!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

!ROARED!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!RIVETED!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!RAGED!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

!ROARED!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!RIVETED!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!RAGED!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

!ROARED!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!RIVETED!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!RAGED!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

!AGAIN!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!AGAIN!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!AGAIN!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

!AGAIN!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!AGAIN!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!AGAIN!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!AGAIN!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!!AGAIN!!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!!!AGAIN!!!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

First

came

.

a

.

gaze

across

.

t

h

e

.

lanes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

warming

embrace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

breath

upon

.

m

y

.

face . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

tremble

.

a

n

d

.

shake . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

!earthquake!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

!!Thunder!!

.

a

n

d

.

!!Rain!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

!!!HURRICANE!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

then

came

.

t

h

e

.

!!!!TIDAL!!!!

!!!!WAVE!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!!THEN!!!!!

!!!!!CAME!!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!!!THEN!!!!!!

!!!!!!CAME!!!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!!!!THEN!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!CAME!!!!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!!!!!!THEN!!!!!!!!

!!!!!!!!CAME!!!!!!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

.

.

–

–

–

All

hours

.

o

f

.

the

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

–

–

–

storm

!ROARED!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!RIVETED!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!RAGED!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

hours

.

o

f

.

the

night . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

e

–

–

–

storm

!ROARED!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!RIVETED!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

!!!RAGED!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

knew

.

y

o

u

.

would

.

b

e

.

worth

.

t

h

e

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

knew

.

y

o

u

.

would

.

b

e

.

worth

.

t

h

e

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

knew

.

y

o

u

.

would

.

b

e

.

worth

.

t

h

e

.

wait . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

in

.

m

y

.

dreams

.

I

.

engage . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

In

.

m

y

.

dreams

.

I

.

engage . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

In

.

m

y

.

dreams

.

I

.

engage . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

In

.

m

y

.

dreams

.

I

.

engage,

.

.

escape,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

entertain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

in

.

t

h

e

.

distance

remain.

Reflection: This is a romantic-themed poem that came into being while reflecting back on some of the more intense, all-consuming, whirlwind romances and infatuations I experienced in my late teens, 20s, and early 30s during my marine corps days, my college days, and my early career days. Many of these were rapturous, rhapsodic, haunting, high-intensity experiences back when I was so easily moved and inspired – I fell under the “spell” of some very intriguing, magnetic, and captivating people back then. I played the wonderful gem of a song: “The Strangest Thing” by George Michael in the background to create the “moodset” and inspire the writing of the poem. If you listen to this song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ GREAT UPON THE PAGE (OF HISTORICAL DAYS) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

You

.

c

a

n

.

call

.

i

t

.

fake . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

turn

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

you

.

h

a

v

e

.

changed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

h

a

v

e

.

changed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

–

–

–

the

friends

.

o

f

.

yesterday

.

a

r

e

.

betrayed

.

a

n

d

.

fade

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

h

a

v

e

.

changed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

–

–

–

past

enemies

celebrate

.

y

o

u

r

.

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

celebrate

.

y

o

u

r

.

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

celebrate

.

y

o

u

r

.

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

celebrate

.

y

o

u

r

.

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

you

!take!

–

–

!!take!!

–

–

!!!take!!!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

separate

.

a

n

d

.

segregate . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

embrace

.

t

h

e

.

grim

.

a

n

d

.

greedy

grays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ you

embrace

.

t

h

e

.

grim

.

a

n

d

.

greedy

grays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

stain

.

a

n

d

.

obliterate . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

stain

.

a

n

d

.

obliterate . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

stain

.

a

n

d

.

obliterate . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

They

stain

.

a

n

d

.

obliterate . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

yesterday’s

grit

.

a

n

d

.

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

grit

.

a

n

d

.

grace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

t

–

–

–

accumulate

.

t

h

e

.

memory

replays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

memory

replays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

what

made

.

y

o

u

.

great

.

u

p

o

n

.

the

page,

.

.

i

n

.

.

historical

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

historical

days . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

brighter

age . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

warmer

embrace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

shared

space . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

more

.

e

q

u

a

l

.

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

c

a

n

.

call

.

i

t

.

fake . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

turn

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

c

a

n

.

call

.

i

t

.

fake . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

turn

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

c

a

n

.

call

.

i

t

.

fake . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

turn

away

.

f

r

o

m

.

the

shame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

you

.

h

a

v

e

.

changed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

h

a

v

e

.

changed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

–

–

–

the

friends

.

o

f

.

yesterday

.

a

r

e

.

betrayed

.

a

n

d

.

fade

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

You

.

h

a

v

e

.

changed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

–

–

–

past

enemies

celebrate

.

y

o

u

r

.

name . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

only

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ for

.

o

n

l

y

.

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

they

.

p

l

a

y

.

tomorrow’s

game . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ until

they

.

p

l

a

y

.

tomorrow’s

game . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

h

e

n

–

–

–

they

trade

.

y

o

u

r

.

fake

.

a

n

d

.

fickle

.

blame

.

a

n

d

.

fame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ when

.

t

h

e

y

.

trade

.

y

o

u

r

.

fake

.

a

n

d

.

fickle

.

blame

.

a

n

d

.

fame . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

f

o

r

.

the

permanent

shade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

the

permanent

shade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

the

permanent

pain . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

shape . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

shade . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

dismal,

.

.

durable, 

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

demeaning

disgrace.

Reflection: 

This is a reflective-themed poem for a country that seems to have lost its way. I used a favorite old Billy Joel song to help create this poem: “Surprises” from one of my favorite albums by him: “The Nylon Curtain.” I loved this album because it was not nearly as popular and overplayed as many of his other albums and songs. The song “Surprises” always evoked artistic imagery for me. I played this song on repeat in the background at low volume to create the “moodset” and inspire the writing of this poem. If you listen to this song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO WAIT THINGS OUT: ALL MAJOR STOCK MARKET INDEXES HIGH AND ROUGHLY THE SAME IN TERMS OF RELATIVE OPPORTUNITY

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

For the first time in a lengthy period of time all of the major stock market indexes I track are roughly the same in terms of relative comparative analysis. So, everything seems a bit high right now and there is no comparative outlier in terms of compelling opportunities. To me this means it might be best to sit tight and wait for a pullback before putting additional money to work unless you’re a higher risk investor who tends to dollar cost average into the stock market on a regular basis.

I currently track each of the following major market indexes: S&P 500 index (e.g., SPY ETF), an equal-weighted version of the S&P 500 Index (e.g., RSP ETF), the Total Stock Market index (e.g., VTI ETF), the Vanguard Value Index Fund ETF Shares (VTV – value stocks of large companies), the Nasdaq (e.g., QQQ ETF), a Mid-Cap Stock Index ETF (e.g., IJH ETF), Russell 2000 index (e.g., IWM ETF), and the International Developed Market Index ETF (e.g., EFA ETF). The first seven are major U.S. based indexes, while the last one tracks international stocks of developed countries outside the U.S. and Canada.

You can learn about all of my investing techniques via my “Invest Like a Pro in 10 Minutes a Day!” series of 4 books where you can learn the “end to end” process to investing. So, use any downtime you might have to your advantage by gaining this knowledge and learning these skills and techniques (https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/).

Make it your goal to learn these investment techniques so that you can progress towards achieving the financial freedom and independence you’ve always dreamed of. I would have done so much better if I had learned this stuff years ago.

Also, you can read all about my stock market activities here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/stock-market-activities

Lastly, all of my finance/investing posts are here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/category/financial-planning-management-and-investing-related-posts/

I wish you much investing success for 2026 (and beyond).

#selfimprovement, #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #success #finance #stocks #investing #stockmarket #bonds #bondmarket

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2026! A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2025!

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Happy New Year everyone! 2025 was a pretty good year for me. I ended up exceeding each of the goals I had set for myself at the beginning of the year, so I was happy about that.

Here are the year’s highlights (by the numbers):

12: The number of times I provided special gifts to people for“Make a Friend Smile Day.” That’s the special occasion I created 20+ years ago as the perfect excuse to offer guilt-free giving to people going through financial difficulties, hardships, and such but are just too proud to ask for or accept this help. The only catch is the friend must smile when using the gift because, well, there’d be no reason to have a “Make a Friend Smile Day,” if the friend didn’t smile. I helped multiple people out this year with rent, groceries, car problems, and other financial hardships. I pulled money out of my “Beneficiaries Reserve Fund” to do this which is the fund I use to help others. Most people who know me understand that whenever I have a good year in the stock market, I always set aside some of the proceeds to help others – it’s a promise I make every year to God, higher power, the universe, or whatever it is you believe in (I happen to believe in all the above).

23: The number of poems I wrote and published throughout the year. The top five (5) that people seemed to resonate most with were:

a. SHADOWS AND GHOSTS (ALONG THE ROAD BACK HOME): https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/%e2%98%86%e2%96%aa%ef%b8%8e-shadows-and-ghosts-all-along-the-road-back-home-%e2%96%aa%ef%b8%8e%e2%98%86/

b. CONSUMED BY THE CRACKS: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/%e2%98%86%e2%96%aa%ef%b8%8e-consumed-by-the-cracks-%e2%96%aa%ef%b8%8e%e2%98%86/

c. DEEP FREEZE (EVERY PART AND PIECE): https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/%e2%98%86%e2%96%aa%ef%b8%8e-deep-freeze-every-part-and-piece-%e2%96%aa%ef%b8%8e%e2%98%86/

d. THE ESCAPE FAKE-N-FADE (SO CHARMING IN THEIR WAYS): https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/%e2%98%86%e2%96%aa%ef%b8%8e-the-escape-fake-and-fade-so-charming-in-their-ways-%e2%96%aa%ef%b8%8e%e2%98%86/, and

e. A MOON TOO FULL (OF BLUE): https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/%e2%98%86%e2%96%aa%ef%b8%8e-a-moon-too-full-of-blue-%e2%96%aa%ef%b8%8e%e2%98%86/

21,000+: The number of photos I took on travel this year. My biggest trip was Spain trip (6 weeks, 15 new places). My favorite places during this year’s travel were: Cadiz Spain (probably my very favorite overall in Spain although it’s very close), Valencia Spain, Barcelona Spain, Malaga Spain, Madrid Spain, Granada Spain, and Cordoba Spain. These were all such wonderful places to visit.

42: The percentage gain of my best performing stock this year from the tariff bottom back in April: Coinbase (COIN). My second-best performing stock from the same tariff bottom was a small cap index fund ETF (SPSM) which gained 34%. That’s about a 3-to-4-year gain on average over just a few months for these investments. Everyone that used my Market-Based strategy over that period in time would have done equally as well: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/how-well-did-my-market-based-strategy-work-this-year-how-about-a-40-gain-in-only-8-months/

339: The total number of places I have explored and spent quality time in to date (including the above travel).

8: The percentage I gained in the stock market this year which exceeded my financial goal for the year (you can read all about that here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/final-stock-market-score-joe-8-0-inflation-2-6/). Since I have far exceeded my overall financial goal, my primary financial objective is maintaining my spending power by beating inflation or at least not giving back the stellar gains I achieved over the past decade or so (my 12-year average annual gain through and including the losses from 2022 was 35% as you can see by scrolling through the following post: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/final-stock-market-score-joe-57-2-spx-24-2/). Core inflation was 2.6% year-over-year back in November – so I beat that number by a sizable margin (the December numbers have not yet been released). I updated my investment strategies this year as I try to do every year.

49: the number of people I helped live happier lives throughout this year – even internationally when I visited Spain.

23: The number of times I posted about my stock market activities and strategies to offer others a chance to capitalize on these. You can read about them here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/stock-market-activities/

165: The number of posts I wrote and published, throughout the year, focused on helping people live happier, offering hope and inspiration, keeping people informed, and making people more successful in life.

224: The number of days I spent on Duo Lingo learning and practicing Spanish and Portuguese throughout the year. I’ve been learning various languages on Duo Lingo for 10+ years now including Spanish, Portuguese, and a tiny bit of Italian.

11: the number of hours I spent on fitness activities in a typical week between weight training, running, stretching, and yoga.

12: The number of books I read and shared my notes on throughout the year. I had only read 1 book back in 2024 since I had so much going on, and I made it my goal for 2025 to read more. So, I did. The books I read were primarily in the areas of finance/investing and self-help and self-improvement.

So, 2025 was a pretty good year overall. Going forward I plan to focus on continuing to read, write, and learn, doing more travel, writing new poetry, and possibly doing a video series on finance/investing to help people better understand some of the fundamentals. I’m looking forward to seeing what 2026 brings.

Happy New Year everyone! Normally, I would add something like: “May 2026 be the best year of your life, EVER.” However, like last year, I’d like to create a tiny challenge for everyone and change that to: “Do positive things to make someone else’s 2026 the best year of their lives, EVER.” So, decide who will be on your list of people for making that happen, and add that to your 2026 New Year’s resolutions list.

Thank you!

#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness #mindfulness #peace #joy #positivethinking #balance #finance #stocks #investing #stockmarket #bonds #bondmarket

FINAL STOCK MARKET SCORE =>>> JOE: 8.0%, INFLATION: 2.6%

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

FINAL SCORE =>>> JOE: +8% INFLATION: +2.6%

I had a pretty good year in the stock market this year overall – especially since I am now a low-risk investor. As a low-risk investor my primary financial objective is to maintain my spending power by beating inflation or at least not giving back the stellar gains I achieved over the past decade or so (my 12-year average annual gain through and including the losses from 2022 was 35% as you can see by scrolling through the following post: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/final-stock-market-score-joe-57-2-spx-24-2/). Core inflation was 2.6% year-over-year back in November – so I beat that number by a sizable margin (the December numbers have not yet been released).

Anyone who has met or exceeded their financial investment goal should be a low-risk investor like me. Everyone else should be taking a higher risk approach in order to achieve their financial investment goals. And if you need help with that, you know who to ask.

My best performing stock this year from the tariff bottom back in April was Coinbase (COIN) which gained 42%. My second-best performing stock from the same tariff bottom was a small cap index fund ETF (SPSM) which gained 34%. That’s about a 3-to-4-year gain on average over just a few months for these investments. Everyone that used my Market-Based strategy over that period in time would have done equally as well: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/how-well-did-my-market-based-strategy-work-this-year-how-about-a-40-gain-in-only-8-months/

When considering the entire year, my highest gains were TBT which gained 39%, Citigroup (C) which gained 35%, Coinbase (COIN) which gained 28%, GNK which gained 27%, SVXY which gained 17%, AAL which gained 15%, and SPSM which gained 14%. I had two losing stocks this year: TROX which lost 13% and UVXY which lost 2%. So, I didn’t do too bad overall.

I fell behind the major market indexes this year which is not surprising since I’m a low-risk investor – however, I wasn’t too far behind with a 8% gain: the Dow Jones Industrial Average index had an end-of-year (EOY) gain of 13%, the Russell 2000 index had an EOY gain of 11.3%, the S&P 500 index had an EOY gain of 16.4%, and the Nasdaq index had an EOY gain of 20.4%. The only major stock market index I beat this year was the S&P 500 Midcap 400 index which had an EOY gain of 5.9%. I did okay overall though because as a low-risk investor, I should not be matching the gains of the major market indexes – and whenever the overall markets drop, I’ll be thankful that I’m taking a low-risk approach.

My primary objective for 2025 was beating inflation which I was able to handily do. A secondary target I use as a low-risk investor is taking the EOY gain of the S&P 500 (SPX) and dividing by 5. I handily beat on that metric as well (16.4%/5 = 3.28%). So, overall, 2025 was a highly successful investment year for me. We’ll see what 2026 brings.

I’ve pretty much sold all of my stocks (I am presently only about 13% invested in stocks – the remaining 87% is in low-risk income) and am now awaiting a sizable drop before buying back into the stock market.

You can learn about all of my investing techniques via my “Invest Like a Pro in 10 Minutes a Day!” series of 4 books where you can learn the “end to end” process to investing. So, use any downtime you might have to your advantage by gaining this knowledge and learning these skills and techniques (https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/).

Make it your goal to learn these investment techniques so that you can progress towards achieving the financial freedom and independence you’ve always dreamed of. I would have done so much better if I had learned this stuff years ago.

Also, you can read all about my stock market activities here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/stock-market-activities

Lastly, all of my finance/investing posts are here: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/category/financial-planning-management-and-investing-related-posts/

I wish you much investing success for 2026 (and beyond).

#selfimprovement, #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #success #finance #stocks #investing #stockmarket #bonds #bondmarket