Mission Possible

Pip pip hooray!
I’m from the US, working in Health & Benefits Consulting, but even after many years of working for a corporation with great benefits, there is no job security. I’ve been through 3 layoffs and now we were just notified of a 20% salary reduction due to plummeting profits (COVID-related), but of course, we are super busy. Wanderlusting, but not just for adventure, but also because I have a Vision/Mission to change the world. I used to mobilize Christian believers and churches towards a strategic role in World Missions. I got sidetracked with needing to work 3 jobs at one point. After securing my future and my family’s, I’d like to get back to serving World Missions. Maybe partner with other wealthy Philanthropists to join in. I would like to support strategic initiatives and projects that make an impact in peoples’ lives. Ok really wordy, but it’s still a work in progress (as am I).

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@hush.shin

Hi there

Your mission seems interesting. And your post resonated with me.

I’ve found one of the best ways to become a successful trader is to actually have a mission elsewhere in life.

Too many are influenced by the jet set lifestyle, fast cars, and all the other trapping that (in popular myth) come from being a superstar trader.

They approach trading with an all encompassing passion, sitting at the pc all day and demolishing every possible theory on how markets work in an attempt to become a big swinging … (from the book Liars pokers)

Its good to have an.interest in trading but if you want to be good at it that interest should not become obsessive
.
Having a goal bigger than yourself will keep you away from many of the problems other traders face.

I’ve said it a few times on here, have a sideline business, calling or goal that will take your mind away from the intraday blips of the quote screen.

You almost sound George Soros esq with your philanthropy (and he was viewed as the best FX trader in the world)

It will however be intriguiing how you reconcile your faith in Christianity with becoming like the the money changers at the temple

Your belief system may well end up clashing with your new endeavour.

Good luck

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Hey John Scott!
Thanks for your perspective and well-intentioned warnings. I’ll have to read more on George Soros, but I remember seeing him on the list of top FX traders. I’m so intrigued now.

It’s actually Christianity that has given me this Vision/Mission, so it’s the truth of what I believe in that grounds me even when my own personal faith waivers. I’m not so self-righteous to think my faith will not waiver nor that I will never fall into the temptations of this kind of world. That’s why I need to let a stronger foundation than my own flippancy of choices to be the rock on which to stand. I need something/Someone to bring me back to being grounded in good values.

I’ve witnessed miracles and I’ve experienced great Love and great Grace, so God is very real to me and He has given me great joy in raising funds for His work where I see lives changed. It’s more satisfying than a designer purse or praises from people. I’ve enjoyed the delicacies of many trivial and decadent things. I do enjoy shiny jewelry, but there’s a part of me that’s always thinking about how many people can be fed with the cost of certain luxuries. They don’t satisfy in the same way. I don’t mind enjoying life and enjoying things, but it’s more fun when you know someone else can enjoy life, too.

I think you know what I mean.

Read more on George Soros because he is a grub of the highest order. He is one of many behind the utopia of a one world government, free movement of people, countries with no boarders and the destruction of capitalism.

Great role model if you fancy socialism.

Cheers

Blackduck

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Oh no I’m so sorry. :frowning:

Welcome to the community! Hope you find what you’re looking for around here. :slight_smile: How did you end up getting into forex trading if I may ask? :slight_smile: (Was it recommended by a friend or just read it somewhere?)

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Hi Ponponwei!
Well, it’s a long and personally embarrassing story, but I may have to write a novel about it as a cautionary tale some day. In all seriousness, it’s something best shared over coffee and not so publicly. Thanks for your compassion. You seem like a kind-hearted soul.

How about yourself? How did you get into Forex?

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By the way, I’m so new at this. I’m not just at baby pip level - I’m more like a zygote pip.

I’m thankful I have a job and that I got it with a promotion and pay increase just 2 months ago - just in time before they reduced my salary. It’s still more than my previous position, so I’m still thankful for some kind of raise with that perspective. I just need to see the blessing behind it.

Now, I’m afraid of what I will see…thanks for letting me know…I consider myself warned!

Had some friends (males) who were into trading, just ended up looking it up to see if I could get into it. I’ve noticed very few women take interest in this so I thought why not :joy:

Ah yes, that is timely indeed. That doesn’t make it sound too bad then. Good for you for taking that gratefulness perspective. :relaxed:

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Glad to see there are some women as well. Yeah, it does seem like there are more men. I’m new to this world, so I don’t know what’s normal yet. I have been watching Marcos from Maxima Investments Coffee and Pips before it went to paid membership only. I’m learning a lot of strategies, but I still need to grow out of my infancy before I can run with the athletes. And it definitely seems like a boys club there.

But yeah! We women need to take control of our financial future and our own dignities. I don’t want to be just arm candy for men. My brain and my heart are more beautiful than my face. My eyes and my thoughts are up here. Etc.

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I’m not really into the whole feminist thing, but I do think women could make better traders than men.

They can follow rules easier and generally not so much ego invested.

Check out Linda Raschke - top trader who you can learn alot from.

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Thanks, Johnscott! I’m learning a lot of names today.

For some traders this has been a common issue and has caused some concerns ( as does earning interest for some others). There have been threads about it, some even on BP, if I remember correctly.

I think the core issue with money in Christianity is whether it is a tool with which to do good for others or does it become a passion in its own right and thereby displaces “He who should be above everything”. That is for each individual to reconcile.

But one well-known story from the Christian bible that is somehow relevant to this is, I think:

"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money.

“After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’"

Now, whether the focus of that story is literally directly concerned with money or not is one thing, but maybe the moral is about what we do with whatever we have (or are “given”) - regardless of what those assets actually are. I.e. is the asset the end or the means - maybe that is the key issue with money?

In overall terms, I think the main point is that we should all know what we are doing and why - and what our real ambitions are - and why! That provides a concrete objective background against which to evaluate our trading approach.

Just some ponderings, no lecture!.. :slight_smile:

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@anon46773462

Interesting - my own views are that God is not a pauper.

And I think the idea that poverty is next to godliness is silly.

The bible is actually considered the premier text in abundance thinking - all abundance, including wealth.

I believe much of true Christianity got lost after Constantine and the council of Nicea.

The original teaching are more in line with Plato, the Babylonians and India.

The only problem with wealth is if we let it define who we are

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It seems we are on the same page here, too.
Where I live the prominent denomination is Lutheran, and it seems overly concerned with a) accepting oneself as the worm of the earth, and b) never mind, God’s grace is gonna make it all OK!

Ok, that is a bit simplified but that is the main gist of it. I am afraid I am a bit more practical than that! I remember at one stage I was involved in designing disaster plans as a joint venture between the area social services and the church. Apart from the provision and designation of land for mass graves, the church was only concerned with spiritual support whilst social services dealt with the huge practical issues and the role of emergency services. That, I guess, is the way it should be, but just doing the “there, there, never mind”, bit left me cold. But I am a realist and maybe a little too pragmatic to please the average human being

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I believe she has a Q&A here also by @PipMeHappy :slight_smile:

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Found it!

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Welcome to the community @hush.shin. So sorry to hear about your troubles. That’s a very noble cause. Hope you find success with your goals.

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Hi! I really like this forum and the support it provides for those who seek it. I’m also very sad to hear that your salary has been reduced even in such a difficult pandemic times. It isn’t fair that such kind of people have to work 3 jobs to support themselves and their family. It seems that what you’re doing is very inspiring. Your mission sounds very high and I’m 100% supportive. I wish you all the best and to achieve your personal goals. Seems, mission is really possible :slight_smile:

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