At the outset, let me take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very happy and prosperous 2017.

LEARNING FROM THE YEAR GONE BY:

“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself – and you are the easiest person to fool.”Richard Feynman

Like 2016 or every year in the past, and there were several occasions in 2016 when speculators, so called market experts, investors, economists etc. were found fooling themselves. Some of the well-known examples are not predicting the BREXIT to happen, expecting Hillary to be the next US president and specific to india, BSE sensex index targets and lastly the impact of demonetization.

There is no point in predicting the future and especially things which we do not understand.

As an investor follow the basic process of financial planning, stick to asset allocation, do not get carried away by the greed and fear of the market, maintain discipline and have patience and faith in the future of the economy.

WAY AHEAD:

“The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing,” – Socrates.

If one accepts with humility that one knows nothing – one would be open to reading, listening and learning more. The big lesson to take in 2017 or for the life is to be open to read, listen and learn even more than one did in the past.

Lastly i end with a few lines of serenity prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr which helps in facing our personal,professional and investing uncertainty.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference.

I once again wish you a happy, healthy, wealthy and peaceful 2017.