Written by Lance Roberts, Clarity Financial
Dave Barry summed up 2016 pretty well:
“It wasn’t just bad. It was the Worst. Election. Ever.
And that was only one of the reasons why 2016 should never have happened. Here are some others:
American race relations reached their lowest point since … OK, since 2015.
We learned that the Russians are more involved in our election process than the League of Women Voters.
F​​or​​ much of the year the economy continued to struggle, with the only growth sector being people paying insane prices for tickets to “Hamilton.”
In a fad even stupider than “planking,” millions of people wasted millions of hours, and sometimes risked their lives, trying to capture imaginary Pokémon Go things on their phones, hoping to obtain the ultimate prize: a whole bunch of imaginary Pokémon Go things on their phones.
A major new threat to American communities – receiving at least as much coverage as global climate change – emerged in the form of: Clowns.
In a shocking development that caused us to question our most fundamental values, Angelina and Brad broke up even though they are both physically attractive.
We continued to prove, as a nation, that no matter how many times we are reminded, we are too stupid to remember to hold our phones horizontally when we make videos.
Musically, we lost Prince, David Bowie, Leonard Cohen, George Michael and Debbie Reynolds; we gained the suicide-inducing TV commercial in which Jon Bon Jovi screeches about turning back time.
Did anything good happen in 2016? Let us think …
OK, the “man bun” appeared to be going away.
That was pretty much it for the good things.”
Of course, there were indeed some other good things that happened in 2016 in percentages:
50% – of Americans are ecstatic over the election of Donald Trump.
12% – is the increase of the S&P 500 index including dividends.
7.6% – is the increase of a 60/40 stock/bond portfolio.
45% – was the increase in oil prices which came as a big relief to producers.
4.6% – unemployment
2%ish – the economy continues to plug along
4% – rise in the U.S. dollar
7.5% – increase in rates despite all the against over the rise.
As my good friend, City Councilman Mike Knox, always says:
“There are three things you should be thankful for every day:
You wake up – which means you are still alive.
You’re hungry – which means all your systems are functioning normally.
There is a knob your side of the door – which means you have your freedom.”
So, as we enter into 2017, I will tell you now I have no clue as to what to expect in this coming year. We can make lot’s of guesses and some will turn out to be true and some won’t. That is just the probability of “guessing” at anything.
So, I will just wish you health, happiness, success and prosperity in 2017. I also want you to be thankful that you wake up each day hungry and have freedom with which to enjoy your family, loved ones, and all the good things life has to offer.
And remember, all we can do is:
“Accept the things that we cannot change. Change the things we cannot accept.”
Happy New Year.
Best Thing You Will Watch This Weekend
If you want to understand the challenges Millennial children are growing up with then watch this video. Simon Sinek explains the Millennial’s generation addictions and shortcomings to the world we live in.
Simon Sinek Explains the Millennial Paradox.
Working with Millennials can be a challenge. Here’s why…Tom bilyeu (Facebook.com/tombilyeu) on Inside Quest (Facebook.com/insidequest) interviews Simon Sinek (Facebook.com/simonsinek).
Posted by Delta Protective Services on Wednesday, December 21, 2016
