Author: Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

☆°▪︎ THE ETERNITY OF SPRING (I STEPPED INTO A DREAM) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

stepped

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

.

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

didn’t

want

.

t

o

.

leave . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

stepped

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

.

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

discovered

.

a

l

l

.

the

joy,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

life

.

c

o

u

l

d

.

bring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

discovered

.

a

l

l

.

the

joy,

.

.

t

h

a

t

.

.

life

.

c

o

u

l

d

.

bring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

you

were

.

h

e

r

e

.

with

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

w

a

s

.

the

eternity

.

o

f

.

spring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

was . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

.

w

a

s

.

the

dancing

–

–

days

.

o

f

.

ease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

was . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

The

eternity

.

o

f

.

spring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

dancing

–

–

days

.

o

f

.

ease . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

.

y

o

u

.

were

.

h

e

r

e

.

with

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

the

shimmer

.

o

f

.

the

sea,

.

.

w

a

s

.

.

made

.

f

o

r

.

you

.

a

n

d

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

.

w

a

s

.

made

.

f

o

r

.

you

.

a

n

d

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

all

.

a

n

d

.

everything,

.

.

w

e

.

.

could

–

–

possibly

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

~ it

.

w

a

s

.

all

.

a

n

d

.

everything,

.

.

w

e

.

.

could

–

–

possibly

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

you

.

a

r

e

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

.

a

m

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

you

.

a

r

e

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

.

a

m

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that’s

.

t

h

e

.

way,

.

.

i

t

.

.

will

–

–

always

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

that’s

.

t

h

e

.

way,

.

.

i

t

.

.

will

–

–

always

be . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

even

though

.

i

t

.

seemed

.

t

h

a

t

.

shimmer

.

o

f

.

the

sea,

.

.

w

a

s

.

.

made

.

f

o

r

.

you

.

a

n

d

.

me . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

stepped

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

.

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

stepped

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

.

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

stepped

.

i

n

t

o

.

a

.

dream . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

didn’t

want

.

t

o

.

leave.

Reflection: This was a forgotten romantic-themed poem I wrote back in June of 2020 where the contemplator reflects fondly on someone that he or she could have loved but could not be with for whatever reason. The contemplator continues to be teased, taunted, and haunted by the special someone in his/her dreams. I was reflecting on my mother who died several years ago and decided to honor her by playing some of the instrumental music that she used to love. I came across the Percy Faith version of the songs “Ebb Tide” and “Stella by Starlight” and played those in the background to create the “moodset” for the poem. They started out as two separate poems – one for each song – but I merged them into one since they were similarly themed. If you listen to these songs at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ THE COLOR AND THE BLUR ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

try,

.

a

n

d

.

try,

.

a

n

d

.

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

o

–

–

–

assemble

.

a

n

d

.

align

.

t

h

e

.

lies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

I

.

cannot

arrive

.

a

t

.

the

reasons

.

why . . .

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

.

.

.

I

seek

.

b

u

t

.

cannot

find . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

seek

.

b

u

t

.

cannot

find,

.

.

o

r

.

.

divide

.

t

h

e

.

lines . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

cannot

.

find

.

o

r

.

divide

.

t

h

e

.

lines . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

.

.

.

I

believe

.

I

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

rather

.

b

e

.

blind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

rather

.

b

e

.

blind,

.

a

n

d

.

at

times

.

surprised . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

than

bitter

.

a

n

d

.

unkind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

.

.

.

I

try . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

try

.

t

o

.

assemble

.

a

n

d

.

align

.

t

h

e

.

lies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

try

.

t

o

.

assemble

.

a

n

d

.

align

.

t

h

e

.

lies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

try

.

t

o

.

assemble

.

a

n

d

.

align

.

t

h

e

.

lies . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

t

o

.

.

.

a

.

brighter

design . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

I

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

rather

.

blur

.

a

n

d

.

color

.

t

h

e

.

lines,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

be

blind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

.

w

o

u

l

d

.

rather

.

blur

.

a

n

d

.

color

.

t

h

e

.

lines,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

be

blind . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

than

.

t

o

.

be

.

bitter

.

a

n

d

.

unkind.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem I wrote back in June of 2020 where the affected party experiences a heartbreaking loss and has trouble making the pieces fit. He or she attempts to find comfort and consolation and navigate beyond the tragic event – ultimately choosing hope, warmth, and kindness even if it means believing something which may not be completely true. I played the wonderful song “RIP” by Emily Haines in the background to create the “moodset” for the poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ SOMEDAYS AND YESTERDAYS (THE ECHOES REMAIN) ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

I

.

f

e

l

l

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

wave

of

.

t

h

e

.

echoes

.

again

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

f

e

l

l

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

echoes

.

t

h

a

t

.

remain

.

i

n

.

that

place . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

warm

embrace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

subtle

trace . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

f

–

–

–

memory

fades

.

a

n

d

.

faraways . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

somedays

.

a

n

d

.

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

somedays

.

a

n

d

.

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

r

o

m

–

–

–

somedays

.

a

n

d

.

yesterdays . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

played,

–

–

–

.

.

.

exchanged,

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

erased . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

f

e

l

l

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

wave

of

.

t

h

e

.

echoes

.

again

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

f

e

l

l

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

wave

of

.

t

h

e

.

echoes

.

again

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

f

e

l

l

.

into

.

t

h

e

.

wave

of

.

t

h

e

.

echoes

.

again

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

almost

.

g

o

t

.

away . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

almost

.

g

o

t

.

away

.

today . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

those

echoes . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

they

blame,

.

a

n

d

.

shame,

.

a

n

d

.

still

remain.

Reflection: This was a personal struggle-themed poem I wrote back in June of 2020 where the affected party occasionally revisits a past which haunts – leaving feelings of guilt, shame, and sorrow. I played the wonderful song “Uncertain” by Robert Deeble in the background to create the “moodset” for the poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ THE WHISPER AND THE BURN ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

It

.

f

e

l

l

.

as

.

a

.

whisper . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ a

.

whisper

.

l

e

f

t

.

unheard . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

.

do

.

n

o

t

.

know

–

–

which

.

w

a

s

.

worse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

urge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

blur . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

the

blister . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

o

r

–

–

–

the

burn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

I

.

yearned

.

f

o

r

.

you . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

yearned . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

.

yearned . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

.

yearned . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

now,

.

i

t

.

seems

–

–

such

.

a

.

curse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ it

seems

–

–

such

.

a

.

curse . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

now,

.

I

.

know

.

y

o

u

.

were

.

t

h

e

.

first . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

now

.

.

I

.

know . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

that

.

y

o

u

.

were

.

t

h

e

.

first . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

I

.

could

.

n

o

t

.

form

.

t

h

e

.

words . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

.

I

.

could

.

n

o

t

.

form

.

t

h

e

.

words . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

I

.

h

a

d

.

not

learned . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

could

.

n

o

t

.

discern

.

t

h

e

.

true

magic,

–

–

measure,

–

–

meaning,

.

a

n

d

.

worth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

until

.

t

h

e

.

pages

–

–

passed

.

a

n

d

.

purged . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ until

.

t

h

e

.

pages

–

–

passed

.

a

n

d

.

purged . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ until

.

t

h

e

.

pages

–

–

passed

.

a

n

d

.

purged . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

the

years

–

–

just

burned

.

a

n

d

.

blurred . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ the

years

–

–

just

burned

.

a

n

d

.

blurred . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

along

.

w

i

t

h

.

that

urge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ along

.

w

i

t

h

.

that

urge . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

that

whisper

.

l

e

f

t

.

unheard.

Reflection: This was a popular romantic-themed poem that I wrote back in April of 2020 as a reflection on missed romantic opportunities. I had so many of those earlier in my life and they would taunt and haunt me. I would always beat myself up about them – telling myself that I should have said something, or that I should have done something but didn’t. It took a while for me to overcome my shyness in that respect.

I played the song “I’m Not in Love” by 10cc repeatedly at low volume in the background to create the “moodset” for the poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ A MOMENT MOVED ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

moment,

–

–

when

.

t

h

e

.

music

.

o

f

.

youth . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

danced

.

w

i

t

h

.

two

.

i

n

.

tune . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ when

the

.

m

a

d

.

martini

moon

.

c

a

m

e

.

into

bloom . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

rush

.

of

.

t

h

e

.

raving

roar

.

o

f

.

that

flickering,

–

–

spinning

room . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

when

anything

.

t

o

o

.

good

.

t

o

.

be

true,

–

–

happened

.

t

o

o

.

soon . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

almost

knew

–

–

just

what

.

t

o

.

do . . .

.

.

.

–

–

–

 ~ it

almost

knew,

–

–

just

what

.

t

o

.

do . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

the

moment

moved . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

.

t

h

e

.

moment

moved . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

the

magic

.

o

f

.

the

mood . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

moment . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

b

u

t

–

–

–

then

.

i

t

.

was

gone . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ gone

with

.

t

h

e

.

summer

song . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ gone

with

.

t

h

e

.

dreaming

dawn . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ gone

with

.

t

h

e

.

awkward

rights

.

a

n

d

.

wrongs . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

l

l

–

–

–

night

long . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

on,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

on,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

on,

.

.

a

n

d

.

.

on . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

moment . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

moment . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

There

once

.

w

a

s

.

a

moment . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

t

–

–

–

moved

.

w

i

t

h

.

the

magic

.

o

f

.

the

mood . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

moved . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

moved . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

It

moved . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

w

i

t

h

–

–

–

the

magic

.

o

f

.

the

mood . . .

.

.

.

–

–

–

a

n

d

–

–

–

almost

knew . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

.

i

t

.

almost

knew . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

just

what

.

t

o

.

do.

Reflection: This was a romantic-themed poem I wrote back in April of 2020 where the contemplator looks back on the short-lived magic of young but awkward romances experienced in the days of youth – and ponders whether anything as wondrous might ever be experienced again. I played the excellent song “Strange Magic” by E.L.O. in the background to create the “moodset” for the poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

☆°▪︎ THIS COVID-19 ▪︎°☆

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

All

across

.

t

h

e

.

land

.

o

f

.

the

free . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ all

across

.

t

h

e

.

land

.

o

f

.

the

self-serving . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

there

.

w

a

s

.

a

certainty . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ there

.

w

a

s

.

a

certainty . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

t

h

a

t

–

–

–

there

–

–

would

be

.

n

o

.

need

.

f

o

r

.

worry . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no

need

.

f

o

r

.

worry

.

i

n

.

the

land

.

o

f

.

the

free . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

i

n

–

–

–

the

land

.

o

f

.

the

self-serving . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

it

would

.

b

e

.

gone

.

b

y

.

spring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

.

i

t

.

would

.

b

e

.

gone

.

b

y

.

spring . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

such

words

.

f

e

l

l

.

so

sweetly,

–

–

upon

.

t

h

e

.

armies

discreetly

–

–

never

seen . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

marching

.

t

h

e

.

disease

.

f

r

o

m

.

across

.

t

h

e

.

seas . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

city,

.

b

y

.

city,

.

b

y

.

city . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

street,

.

b

y

.

street,

.

b

y

.

street . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ this

Covid-19 . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

now . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

with

.

s

o

.

many

suffering,

.

a

n

d

.

crying,

.

a

n

d

.

dying . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

what

does

.

i

t

.

mean?

–

–

–

.

.

.

what

does

.

i

t

.

really

mean?

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ this

Covid-19 . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

each,

.

a

n

d

.

all,

.

a

n

d

.

every

member

.

o

f

.

those

–

–

select

societies

.

o

f

.

bickering

teams

.

a

n

d

.

self-serving

deceit . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

.

complacency . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

conceit . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

refusing

.

t

o

.

believe,

.

a

n

d

.

taking

.

t

o

.

the

streets . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

screaming:

“It’s my economy!”

“So set me free!”

–

–

–

.

.

.

“It’s my economy!”

“So give me liberty!”

–

–

–

.

.

.

because

.

i

f

.

you

don’t . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ yes,

.

i

f

.

you

don’t . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

I

will

still

.

d

o

.

as

I

please!

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ I

will

still

.

d

o

.

as

I

please!

–

–

–

.

.

.

f

o

r

–

–

–

I

will

still

.

b

e

.

having

.

m

y

.

parties!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

will

still

.

b

e

.

engaging

.

i

n

.

my

social

activities!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

I

will

still

.

b

e

.

freely

drinking

.

a

n

d

.

dancing

.

i

n

.

the

streets!

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

there’s

nothing . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

there’s

nothing

–

–

which

.

c

a

n

.

stop

me!

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ no,

nothing

–

–

which

.

c

a

n

.

stop

me!

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ not

even

.

y

o

u

r

.

decrees!

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ not

even

.

y

o

u

r

.

Covid-19!

–

–

–

.

.

.

s

o

–

–

–

the

cold

.

a

n

d

.

the

cruel,

–

–

defiant

–

–

absurdities

–

–

refused

.

t

o

.

take

heed,

–

–

even

though

minds

–

–

could

clearly

think . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

a

n

d

–

–

–

even

though

eyes

–

–

could

plainly

see

.

t

h

a

t

.

each

.

a

n

d

.

every

liberty

–

–

could

plant

.

t

h

a

t

.

seed . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ could

plant

.

t

h

a

t

.

deadly

seed

.

o

f

.

doom,

.

a

n

d

.

disease,

.

a

n

d

.

dread,

.

a

n

d

.

defeat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day,

–

–

after

day . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

week,

–

–

after

week,

–

–

after

week,

–

–

after

week . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

beat,

–

–

after

beat,

–

–

after

beat,

–

–

after

beat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ this

Covid-19 . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

So,

what

will

.

t

h

e

.

final

reading

be

.

o

n

.

each

.

o

f

.

these

obscenities?

–

–

–

.

.

.

What

will

.

t

h

e

.

final

reading

.

b

e

.

when

.

t

h

e

y

.

become

.

o

u

r

.

history?

–

–

–

.

.

.

What

will

.

b

e

.

the

final

read?

–

–

–

.

.

.

What

will

.

b

e

.

the

final

read?

–

–

–

.

.

.

What

will

.

b

e

.

the

final

read?

–

–

–

.

.

.

Will

.

i

t

.

be

–

–

one

.

o

f

.

cruelty?

–

–

–

.

.

.

Will

.

i

t

.

be

–

–

one

.

o

f

.

murder?

–

–

–

.

.

.

Will

.

i

t

.

be

–

–

one

.

o

f

.

atrocity,

.

d

o

.

you

think?

–

–

–

.

.

.

defeat,

–

–

after

each

.

a

n

d

.

every

–

–

crushing

defeat . . .

–

–

–

.

.

.

 ~ this

Covid-19.

Reflection: This was a reflective-themed poem that I wrote back in April of 2020 when witnessing the beginnings of the Covid-19 pandemic unfold. I played the song “We Work the Black Seam” by Sting repeatedly at low volume in the background to create the “moodset” for the poem. If you listen to the song at low volume while reading this poem, you might better get the “feel” of it.

HAPPINESS AND SUCCESS TIP: EMPLOY CRITICAL THINKING BEFORE REACTING AND COMMUNICATING

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.


Let’s talk about a key element missing in today’s social media based communications: Critical Thinking. I think it’s a foregone conclusion that the news media is biased and shapes stories based on selective information and indicators which offer the most compelling presentations possible. Because that’s what captures audience attention and is the primary metric of success for the news media. So, it’s always a worthwhile exercise to ponder what information is being conveniently left out and what information might cause you to draw the opposite conclusion or no conclusion at all. And performing an objective analysis and evaluation of issues in order to form judgments BEFORE COMMUNICATING is the actual definition of critical thinking.

So, it boggles my mind when I see people getting excited about and having heated emotional discourses on information (or misinformation for that matter) based on news media sources or even worse – based on frivolous non-sources like social media posts and such. It’s such a waste of time and energy for everyone involved.

So, do everyone a favor (including yourself) by being open to ideas and employing the basic concepts of critical thinking BEFORE REACTING OR COMMUNICATING and supporting your ideas with good sources and your credentials where appropriate. If you do, your communications will offer something of value and you will be valued as a source instead of as a crazed hysteric throwing random hissy fits (even though the latter might be a bit more entertaining). So, please keep this in mind.

And, lastly, always remember: just because you believe something doesn’t make it true.

This and other happiness tips and topics are provided throughout my self-help, happiness, and investment oriented books: https://brighterdayslifecoaching.com/published-books-and-life-coaching-services/


#selfimprovement #selfhelp #selfdevelopment #intention #fulfillment #success #inspiration #happiness #peace #mindfulness

THE ANSWER TO THE MOST COMMON INVESTING QUESTION IS ALWAYS THE SAME

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

The most common investing question is: “which way will the stock market go from here?” And, the answer to that question is always the same: “Who knows?” Let’s consider potential answers to this question over the coming weeks.

If investors ignore stock market fundamentals associated with poor earnings reports and economic data over the next several weeks, and instead focus on Covid-19 progress and the eventual economic recovery which is being facilitated by fiscal and monetary stimuli, then the stock market will go up.

If investors do the opposite and focus on the length and shallowness of the potential economic recovery and how expensive the overall stock market is in consideration of these factors, then the stock market will go down.

You can rest assured that no one truly knows what will happen. But, either way things go, I have a plan. Because there is opportunity no matter what happens. And a flexibility of approach can lead to steady and consistent gains over time. Simply have a plan no matter which way things might go and react to whatever happens however it happens. If you do this, you will earn steady and consistent gains over time.

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-a…/).

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.

#stocks #investing #stockmarket #success

POSITION YOURSELF FOR WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN BUT BE FLEXIBLE WITH YOUR PLANS

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

The word “know” in its various forms is perhaps one of the most misused words in the English dictionary. A lot of people, when looking back in hindsight, will claim something like: “I knew this (or that) would happen.” Well, no. You didn’t. If you did, you would have positioned yourself to benefit immensely from what happened instead of just saying, now, that you knew it would happen. A more accurate claim would be something like: “I was thinking this might happen.”

If you make these kinds of distinctions now, it can benefit you in the future because you will position yourself based on what might happen, without being overconfident in your abilities to predict, understanding there’s a possibility you might be wrong and that you might need to change your position.

For example, in the stock market, I position myself based on what I think might happen, but am flexible enough to react to what actually does. Because, there is opportunity no matter which way things go – up or down. And those who are quick to capitalize, without the rigidity of being “married” to an original theory, will benefit more than those who do not. So, always keep this in mind.

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/).

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.

#stocks #investing #stockmarket #success

A WINNING STRATEGY FOR DIVIDEND STOCKS

Posted on by Joseph M. Brennan Jr.

Lately, I have focused on buying stocks that pay good, sustainable dividends. Some of you might be wondering what indicator I might use to determine when to potentially sell some of my shares. Well, one thing I like to do is look at the projected annual dividend and multiply that by 5 years. So, if the price average (i.e. the cost basis) of a stock is $20 a share and pays a projected annual dividend of $1.00 per share, then once the stock price hits $25 per share [$20 + ($1.00 x 5)], I will look more closely at it to see whether significant further price appreciation is anticipated or not. If so, I’ll continue holding it for a little while. If not I’ll go ahead and start selling.

I base the above hold/sell determination not only on the individual stocks themselves but also on the overall stock market since most individual stocks move with the major stock market indices. So, if significant price appreciation is anticipated for the major stock market indices, I’ll be inclined to hold. Otherwise, I’ll be inclined to sell.

So, if the example scenario above happens quickly, then I would have a 25% gain to cash out on which I could apply to new opportunities. If the targeted price appreciation doesn’t happen until the end of the 5 year period then I could cash at that time with a 50% gain (the 25% in price appreciation + the 25% collected in dividends over that 5 year time frame). So, this might be a good approach to consider using for your investments as well.

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/).

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.

#stocks #investing #stockmarket #success