Control Thyself
Controlling one’s emotions is a difficult thing to do. In my recent experience (see image, all times EDT), I had good control entering the trade, but then I lost it after a bit of time because I didn’t want to lose my position (fight or flight…). When at the whims of the market, one must control oneself.
In this case I still made money, but I could have made a lot more had I just controlled myself (and trusted in the Lord’s ability to give me a solid intellect with trading instincts). In this case, I entered the trade as a sell at 1.7514 GPB/USD. All the charts indicated that this was ideal…sell appeared to be the correct path for the next few hours. I then ‘lost control’ when after approx. 36 minutes I thought I was going to lose out, instead of trusting my reason and logic (and the various indicators/charts I use). I bought back at 1.7500. As of this posting, the GBP is at 1.7445, which would have had P/L of approximately 7x more value if I was able to control myself. I am still learning. Trying to figure out when to get out of trades (yes, I think I’m fairly good at entering trades, just not so good at exiting trades). This fear of losing the little I had gained caused me to miss out on the bigger picture (and the better gain).
As is often the case, we can lose control of ourselves, and it costs us. Whether its emotionally, physically, mentally, or a combination of the above, lack of control can affect our lives and our complete being. And its not limited to just us, it can impact those around us. Sin, especially, effects the world in ways that are hidden to most. When we sin, we separate ourselves from God, as most people reading this know, but we also effect a hidden change in the fabric of the universe that not only affects our lives, but also affects those lives of the people we love.
Sin can be seen as a lack of control of oneself as well. I know a man who can’t control himself. He has to get laid everyday (for the most part). There’s not a day that goes by that he isn’t trying to get laid by women, whether its his girlfriend, or just some new girl he’s met on the internet, to give into his player ways. I often wonder why he puts himself through such annoying circumstances (and why these girls don’t see in themselves some sort of value above and beyond being the object of his desires). I also wonder if he ever thinks that controlling his sex drive would help him gain control of his life. I’ve ‘evangelized’ him regarding this matter on occassion; however, whenever I approach the situation, he tends to go into a defensive mode (since…what kind of guy doesn’t want to get laid, right?). To me being able to control oneself makes one more of a man, rather than less of a man. I have also noticed that the situation with his girlfriend isn’t ideal. He seems to yell at her and fight with her all the time, and its as if he gets a high out of controlling her or being cruel to her. She seems to stay with him, but I’ll tell you, I wouldn’t want to be in that situation. And if I had a girlfriend who treated me the way this guy treats his, I would ‘kick her to the curb.’ My thought is that this lack of sexual control (or that the sex controls him, as is the case with many sins), causes undue stress on his life that he otherwise would not have, among other grave pains.
Sin causes an effect. We don’t see it directly. It causes us to miss out on opportunities that the Lord has willed. If we sin, we don’t necessarily make the right decisions, and, as a consequence, we end up making major mistakes in our lives. These mistakes aren’t the Lord’s Will, but the Lord hopes in us and loves us. He gives us those extra chances to straighten up and fly right. And every once in a while, if we haven’t responded, he smacks us upside the head.
Self discipline, via the pursuit of virtue, helps us gain control over ourselves, and our choices. In my friend’s experience, if he would only choose to be chaste, and faithful, he would gain a world of graces and blessings that would help him wish to remain so. But alas, sin has gripped him so much so that even this doesn’t appear to him to be an option. No matter how much convincing one can do. The effect of sin is too great on this poor man, and I pray for his conversion so that he may be redeemed through Christ (and so he may gain control over his life through Christ).
As I finish this article, the GBP has bottomed out at 1.7441 and is starting its ascension. My instinct, and the charts, indicate that to buy now would be ideal. In fact, my emotions are screaming it…so I’m going to sit out. All too often we can let our desires turn into obsessions which end up controlling us. The Lord is my master, I shall not want. Money can be made everyday, but I am not going to let greed get the better of me. I’ve already learned that lesson all too well.