Bull or bear..good or bad.

Deep in our hearts we can all be thankful for what we have and today that thanks goes to our Veteran’s across the land. I cannot tell you how often I walk through an airport and my mind is on something – and then it happens.

I pass by several young men and women together in war fatigues with full backpacks and a ticket in hand. I often get to ask them where they are headed – they unflinchingly say “the Middle East”.

I watch them walk away and into the unknown – not ordered mind you, volunteered.

Chills run down my spine and tears come to my eyes often as I can’t help but to think of what they will face. I am not ever sure why but one thing is always certain…for the next short period of time, my “thing” I was thinking about before I saw them walking down the terminal has gone away.

I am reminded – again – that is an honor to be an American knowing this fine group of people, angels really with unspeaking, undefinable levels of courage are willing to face the darkness that exists for our benefit.

Whenever one thinks they are having a bad day, take a few moments and read this story here.

For that few minutes, we will all understand that the freedoms we often take for granted have an extreme cost. They are anything but free.

Today – as in everyday, we give thanks, beyond what words could ever stipulate effectively.

Besides, reading this short true story will also remind you how trivial it is to fret over whether the Dow is up or down this month—in the end, it is always up long-term.

Speaking of Sentiment

Bounces come and go – new highs are likely soon to be challenged again. Mind you when I soon, I don’t imply tomorrow.

Still, more than 6½ years into the bull market, many investors still haven’t regained their confidence. I stand by what has been typed here often. The Great Recession was this generation’s Great Depression…depression being more emotional than economical.

Jeff Kleintop, Schwab’s chief global strategist, spoke Tuesday to the thousands of registered investment advisors at this week’s IMPACT 2015 conference, cautioning them about how “really pessimistic” their clients’ sentiment has become.

He said. “The last six months, investors seem to have lost some hope.”

That mimics these notes and video updates. It is also still driven home boldly by money flows. Even as the market has fought most of the year to a draw, the flow of money tells a different story.

Investors have pulled more than $125 billion out of equity-based funds this year while putting more than $95 billion into bond funds, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

There is very little discussed anymore about optimism. Too many focus too much on the negatives.

God knows there is more than enough to cover about the never-ending stream of risks. It’s China or (Russian President Vladimir) Putin or the immigration crisis in Europe.

Like it or not, on this day of thanks, we need to recognize that investing – the very art of placing a bet on the future, DEMANDS optimism, hope and trust.

Optimism because it is a hallmark of anything successful. It is what got us over all the hurdles we have ever faced.

Hope as it is what makes us look forward in every part of life. Without hope we would not move forward.

Trust because in the end we are all part of the same fabric. We all trust that we can and will move forward, trudgingly, one day at a time, building the future indeed.

In Closing

Pray for another shock – and red ink when the first rate hike hits. It will be a false alarm and a gift horse. Let’s continue to act when others will not – on red ink, when it hurts short-term.

Long-term carries mountains of momentum….to the upside.