Fear fades, but slowly. For some folks, it never fades at all. Others begin to hope.

 

We've been through some troubled times. Many are still amidst them. But. The stock market is doing well. The real estate market, at least the residential market, is improving. The financial media is proclaiming recovery. But. Even if the worst never happened to you, even if you never missed a bill or a paycheck, don't be surprised if you feel out of tune with the news. If you did hit those potholes, the news can sound so silly that it's sad.

 

Spring is back in the northern hemisphere, and around Seattle that means the rain is warmer. It even means that the sun might, might, shine through in the morning or the afternoon, but don't expect both. Cabin fever can be alleviated in temporary sojourns with walks that require far fewer layers, but still maybe a hat, or maybe gloves.

 

Despite our economy passing into a recovery, many will continue to carry fear. Fear wasn't our blanket in the midst of the turmoil, but most people wear it in uncertain times, and those were definitely uncertain times. The media is lauding the improved economic measures. The emotionally recovery will take longer.

 

This recovery is being measured from three years ago or so, but we've lived in a media cloud of fear that pervaded the Dismal Decade. The busting of the Internet bubble and the terrorist attacks were back in 2000 and 2001, yet we worried about the consequences of both for years. At the end of it, too many financial institutions collapsed because they had disconnected themselves from core corporate values. That didn't help. I don't want to wallow in the abyss, but it is appropriate to also mention that in the midst of these societal traumas, we've heard incessantly about collapsing ecologies.

 

Like any emotion, fear does not exist. It is intangible, but it's consequences are real. Our bodies respond to our emotions, even if we wear phenomenal facades.

 

The counterpoint to fear is hope. Things are getting better. The media is right about that. At least what I see is friends' businesses are busier, people are taking more vacations, and careers are shifting as better opportunities are revealed.

 

Within the investing realm, which is a favorite subject of many readers, the counterpoint to fear is greed. But, to be honest, I think that isn't as true as usual.

 

Some investors will always conjure images of wealth. Some will see it happen. But, most folks I know are not acting or investing from greed. They are investing from renewed hope and new perceptions. Especially the last year or two has been a time for reflection. There've been many variations on the question of, "Is this all there is to life?". I am more encouraged because, even without a definitive answer, people are much more willing to explore the possibility of a more enjoyable and sustainable life, than previous variations on the conventional norm.

 

Imagine if you will, and I will whether you do or don't, a decade or more where hope and enthusiasm are as pervasive as the previous decade's fear and paranoia. The implications are pervasive. The media mentions the economy, but foreign relations, human rights, environmental impact, and a sense of global community would all benefit. Fear is powerful. Hope is powerful. We decide which gets our energies.

 

Some never lost the fear that pervaded the Great Depression, and they wore it the rest of their lives. Fear can be hard to remove. Facts and data doesn't vanish it in an instant. Fear fades. It is healthy to set it aside a piece at a time. In it's place is a relaxation as the tension abates. Breath there, then gently embrace hope. There's no need to rush. At least that's my plan.

 

As in investor, the transition may be more powerful than conventional wisdom expects. It looks to me that a lot of financial institutions are seeing the recovery as a reason to return to old norms. It also looks to me that a lot of people don't want to go back to lifestyles that were revealed as unreal. People's choices can be a great source of hope. The disconnect with traditional financial institutions gives me places to watch for investment opportunities.

 

On a personal level, I am taking time now to look at myself and see what I am wearing and carrying. The fear filtered in farther than I knew, and only in the last month or two have I gotten past the outer layers. It feels as if only now am I shedding winter jackets. My shoulders, jaw, and core are relaxing. It may be a long way to t-shirt weather, but I'm getting there. Hope awakes.