Brilliant storytelling linking back to the market, thoroughly enjoyed this. Sure takes humility to ride through all the ups and downs and stick with it.
Remember reading your client letter and how well you explained market turmoil, can imagine the comfort your storytelling brings people in difficult conditions.
Love this: "It’s my experience that meaning is made in the role of supporting actor. It’s made when we rotate the stage of our lives to sit in heavy silence and listen to someone’s grief. It’s made when we write a note of gratitude. It’s made when we knock unannounced. It’s made when we offer forgiveness, seeing someone anew."
Thanks for this beautiful reflection on the power of humility and perseverance, through the lens of both Hollywood and the financial markets. I always learn something new from you!
James, your work is honestly such a pleasure to read! I’m not even a financial/ numbers person but I love reading your essays. So that’s a huge compliment. :)
Serena, I so appreciate your compliment. My reason for writing these is to try and make them relatable. Investing is 99% less complex that the financial industry makes it. Living and fulfilling and meaningful life, is however, more complicated than we think at times. Funny, the path to that meaningful life is through simplicity I think. (And getting our egos out of the drivers seat).
Love this! You are doing a great job making financial terms and meaningful life relatable and more simple. It is ironic that simplicity & humility (and I would add - focused purpose) is the way to a meaningful life. I remember one of my friends (who is a financial advisor for folks with extreme wealth) saying that sometimes the richest folks are the most unhappy ones. Also ironic. Thanks for your guidance!
You’re so right, and a sense of purpose that uses our unique gifts I might also add. And I too would attest that happiness and level of wealth are often inversely correlated 😞.
I probably watched the movie earlier than I should have as a kid. All my friends wondering if I was related to Jodie (sadly, no relation other than Adam and Eve). Hopkins performance always haunted me though your piece today connected that haunting feeling to the same kind of way when I had missed the "alpha" that was always some small seedling in the weeds.
I have been contemplating how Christ invites his following to carry their cross and not only do his acolytes, myself included, struggle under its weight. We try to hide and hope no one will see our sins and suffering. How truly liberating it is to bear ones burdens publicly in humility. We have perhaps been missing many opportunities to be and receive a Simon of Cyrene. I know for me this is true.
Thank you for another work like this. A place in prose for contemplation. Well done James.
Steven, what a deep and profound reply. I spent a lot of my life trying to hide my sins and suffering. How exhausting, and dulling to the experience of life.
I’m grateful for your support Steven and trust you are well. 🙏😊
Brigitte, you’re so kind. That was served up by my muse and came through me. Probably my muse’s universal connection to the world and everyone in it. 😊
Absolutely brilliant, James!!! I did not realize/notice that Hopkins barely shows ... 16 minutes in a movie that is indelibly linked to him.
And the segue into the area where you deserve the supporting actor role in money advice!!! Brilliant. Beautifully told. A story that sticks with me. And wonderfully illustrated with just enough graph to make the point!
Thank you Karena. It’s not surprising given our kindred spirits and your background, that you’d enjoy this. Plus you are the epitome of the flow of giving and receiving. 😊
Sherry, you know those times when your muse is on a roll and the writing is coming through you, not from you. That’s the way it was with the passage you highlighted. And at a higher level, I set out to write a piece on investing, and the whole notion of The Actors of Ourselves was nowhere in my field of vision when I started the piece. And then it’s where my muse went. And my life won’t be the same now that I’ve discovered the supporting actor distinction. 😊
Thank you for following your muse. So much magic is born when we do…this piece was magical. It inspires me to just let the muse take the wheel and just write, no matter how crazy it looks the road they are taking you on. When a piece that is written remains with you like this did that I'm talking about it with friends throughout the day as a point of reference for things going on in our lives…well that's a sign of a great writer when they are able to have an impact beyond the page. So thank you!🙏🏾
James, I’m impressed – amazed, actually – how you blend Olivier’s and Hopkins’ professionalism and humility (“holding the spear”) with investment strategiy and living a meaningful life. This blending feels “smooth” and effortless, but I imagine it must take a lot of deep thinking, not to mention what I guess a finance guy would call “sweat equity.”
The thing is, that effort and depth is profoundly evident in every one of your essays. Any writer would admire that. This one sure as hell does.
Larry, oh, I so appreciate you, pal. This one was a hard one to thread and also hard to get those transitions to be smooth. It means a lot that you noticed that. As I was telling another reader in the comments, the section on meaning was never in the purview when I started this and then it showed up via a conversation I had with a few others. I thought about publishing the acting part with only the last section and leaving the investment piece out, but I started it as a piece on investing so I stuck with that path, partly because I wanted to be done with it!
I have an essay of yours to get back to I think. Will do that soon. I’ve been trying to dig out of a backlog.
Absolutely love your writing style and insights, James! Your perspective is intelligent, motivating, and enlightening. Thanks for the infusion of inspiration!
You would certainly know about being a leading supporting actor James. Interesting segue to the markets. You keep teaching about this principle of diversification and teamwork, and I think I'm finally starting to get it re investing in people.
Rick, when I wrote that last section you came to mind, time and again. You are pure service to the world and embody what it means to win supporting actor in hundreds and hundreds of lives. 🙏🙏🙏
I "consumed" every word, and your essay filled me up with its richness, its parallels, its depth, and the quiet stream of meaning singing as the river you created rounded its bends, went gaily around its boulders. Time to go back and read it anew, for another helping of this delicious dish.
Amba, thank you for such a delightful comment here. You showed up for me many times in this one. I look forward to connecting with you soon. I hope the book process is going well. -Much much love!
Wow! What an incredible piece, James. Anthony Hopkins, investing, reflections on human connection all in one essay, and tied together so beautifully. What a great start to my week. Thank you.🙏
Maria, Thank you, I'm grateful you're here and that it resonated with you. You're incredibly busy - from what I read in your essays. If you ever could spare a sliver of time I'd love to pick your brain via a zoom call on your book writing process. I hope it is going well!
"Maybe the hope is to arrive at the end of our days with a single piece of hardware on our mantle: the Oscar for Best Actor in Someone Else’s Story."
I hesitate to add anything more for fear of diminishing its beauty. What a quote to head into the weekend thinking about—thank you for the gift, James. 🧡
Oh, Erin. I’m glad that resonated with you. Being a parent illuminates that more than anything, huh? I’m grateful for you and that we are supporting actors in each other’s lives 🙏.
Brilliant storytelling linking back to the market, thoroughly enjoyed this. Sure takes humility to ride through all the ups and downs and stick with it.
Remember reading your client letter and how well you explained market turmoil, can imagine the comfort your storytelling brings people in difficult conditions.
Claire, thank you. 🙏. Sometime this spring I’d love to connect again. I’m missed being in touch and hope things are good with you. ♥️
Lecter said, "All good things to those who wait."
Can't wait for your next writing, James.
Jack, thank you. I’m looking forward to that too :).
Sometimes after publishing I don’t want to write for a while.
Thank you for the lovely conversation last week!
Love this: "It’s my experience that meaning is made in the role of supporting actor. It’s made when we rotate the stage of our lives to sit in heavy silence and listen to someone’s grief. It’s made when we write a note of gratitude. It’s made when we knock unannounced. It’s made when we offer forgiveness, seeing someone anew."
Thanks for this beautiful reflection on the power of humility and perseverance, through the lens of both Hollywood and the financial markets. I always learn something new from you!
Thank you Serena. I’m grateful for you and that you are here. 🙏🙏
James, your work is honestly such a pleasure to read! I’m not even a financial/ numbers person but I love reading your essays. So that’s a huge compliment. :)
Serena, I so appreciate your compliment. My reason for writing these is to try and make them relatable. Investing is 99% less complex that the financial industry makes it. Living and fulfilling and meaningful life, is however, more complicated than we think at times. Funny, the path to that meaningful life is through simplicity I think. (And getting our egos out of the drivers seat).
Love this! You are doing a great job making financial terms and meaningful life relatable and more simple. It is ironic that simplicity & humility (and I would add - focused purpose) is the way to a meaningful life. I remember one of my friends (who is a financial advisor for folks with extreme wealth) saying that sometimes the richest folks are the most unhappy ones. Also ironic. Thanks for your guidance!
You’re so right, and a sense of purpose that uses our unique gifts I might also add. And I too would attest that happiness and level of wealth are often inversely correlated 😞.
I probably watched the movie earlier than I should have as a kid. All my friends wondering if I was related to Jodie (sadly, no relation other than Adam and Eve). Hopkins performance always haunted me though your piece today connected that haunting feeling to the same kind of way when I had missed the "alpha" that was always some small seedling in the weeds.
I have been contemplating how Christ invites his following to carry their cross and not only do his acolytes, myself included, struggle under its weight. We try to hide and hope no one will see our sins and suffering. How truly liberating it is to bear ones burdens publicly in humility. We have perhaps been missing many opportunities to be and receive a Simon of Cyrene. I know for me this is true.
Thank you for another work like this. A place in prose for contemplation. Well done James.
Steven, what a deep and profound reply. I spent a lot of my life trying to hide my sins and suffering. How exhausting, and dulling to the experience of life.
I’m grateful for your support Steven and trust you are well. 🙏😊
This is such a great observation 💎 (and you will enter my little quote book, once again):
"For me, meaning isn’t found by staying inside my story. It’s found by stepping into someone else’s story."
Brigitte, you’re so kind. That was served up by my muse and came through me. Probably my muse’s universal connection to the world and everyone in it. 😊
Loved how you tied this all together.
Thank you Henny. It was a slog to get all the pieces threaded together. I appreciate you taking the time to tell me. 🙏
Absolutely brilliant, James!!! I did not realize/notice that Hopkins barely shows ... 16 minutes in a movie that is indelibly linked to him.
And the segue into the area where you deserve the supporting actor role in money advice!!! Brilliant. Beautifully told. A story that sticks with me. And wonderfully illustrated with just enough graph to make the point!
Thank you Karena. It’s not surprising given our kindred spirits and your background, that you’d enjoy this. Plus you are the epitome of the flow of giving and receiving. 😊
Us both! But I do think you showcase the importance of receiving here too.
Yes receiving completes the cycle and enables flow.
There was so much of this piece that struck deep chords with me. This was such a welcomed surprise in storytelling and what I needed this morning.
“The alchemy of meaning might be as simple as holding a spear on the stage of others, while they hold a spear on the stage of us.”
Maybe the hope is to arrive at the end of our days with a single piece of hardware on our mantle: the Oscar for Best Actor in Someone Else’s Story.”
Sherry, you know those times when your muse is on a roll and the writing is coming through you, not from you. That’s the way it was with the passage you highlighted. And at a higher level, I set out to write a piece on investing, and the whole notion of The Actors of Ourselves was nowhere in my field of vision when I started the piece. And then it’s where my muse went. And my life won’t be the same now that I’ve discovered the supporting actor distinction. 😊
Thank you for being here Sherry.
Thank you for following your muse. So much magic is born when we do…this piece was magical. It inspires me to just let the muse take the wheel and just write, no matter how crazy it looks the road they are taking you on. When a piece that is written remains with you like this did that I'm talking about it with friends throughout the day as a point of reference for things going on in our lives…well that's a sign of a great writer when they are able to have an impact beyond the page. So thank you!🙏🏾
Sherry, thank you so much for this :). Big hugs to you today.
James, I’m impressed – amazed, actually – how you blend Olivier’s and Hopkins’ professionalism and humility (“holding the spear”) with investment strategiy and living a meaningful life. This blending feels “smooth” and effortless, but I imagine it must take a lot of deep thinking, not to mention what I guess a finance guy would call “sweat equity.”
The thing is, that effort and depth is profoundly evident in every one of your essays. Any writer would admire that. This one sure as hell does.
Larry, oh, I so appreciate you, pal. This one was a hard one to thread and also hard to get those transitions to be smooth. It means a lot that you noticed that. As I was telling another reader in the comments, the section on meaning was never in the purview when I started this and then it showed up via a conversation I had with a few others. I thought about publishing the acting part with only the last section and leaving the investment piece out, but I started it as a piece on investing so I stuck with that path, partly because I wanted to be done with it!
I have an essay of yours to get back to I think. Will do that soon. I’ve been trying to dig out of a backlog.
Take good care
However it happened, it all came together beautifully and the finished product is great.
Absolutely love your writing style and insights, James! Your perspective is intelligent, motivating, and enlightening. Thanks for the infusion of inspiration!
Sherry - thank you. I’m so glad and I so appreciate you taking the time to tell me. It’s wind at my sails :)
You would certainly know about being a leading supporting actor James. Interesting segue to the markets. You keep teaching about this principle of diversification and teamwork, and I think I'm finally starting to get it re investing in people.
Rick, when I wrote that last section you came to mind, time and again. You are pure service to the world and embody what it means to win supporting actor in hundreds and hundreds of lives. 🙏🙏🙏
Brilliant, James, Just Brilliant.
I "consumed" every word, and your essay filled me up with its richness, its parallels, its depth, and the quiet stream of meaning singing as the river you created rounded its bends, went gaily around its boulders. Time to go back and read it anew, for another helping of this delicious dish.
You have won best Actor in my story.
Amba, thank you for such a delightful comment here. You showed up for me many times in this one. I look forward to connecting with you soon. I hope the book process is going well. -Much much love!
Wow! What an incredible piece, James. Anthony Hopkins, investing, reflections on human connection all in one essay, and tied together so beautifully. What a great start to my week. Thank you.🙏
Maria, Thank you, I'm grateful you're here and that it resonated with you. You're incredibly busy - from what I read in your essays. If you ever could spare a sliver of time I'd love to pick your brain via a zoom call on your book writing process. I hope it is going well!
Absolutely, James. I’d be delighted! Maybe we sort out details in a DM thread?
As always love reading your words. Continues to make me think out of my own box.
Thank Cynthia. And thank you for allowing me to be a supporting actor in your life 😊
"Maybe the hope is to arrive at the end of our days with a single piece of hardware on our mantle: the Oscar for Best Actor in Someone Else’s Story."
I hesitate to add anything more for fear of diminishing its beauty. What a quote to head into the weekend thinking about—thank you for the gift, James. 🧡
Oh, Erin. I’m glad that resonated with you. Being a parent illuminates that more than anything, huh? I’m grateful for you and that we are supporting actors in each other’s lives 🙏.
It truly does. And the feeling is mutual. 🧡
Extraordinary writing James! "The real story isn't about who leads. It's about who loves."
That line stopped me. And so very true.
That’s the whole enchilada isn’t it DW? Loving. Full stop.
I love you DW.