with those words of wisdom when applied to myself. For 90% of the population those probably are words of wisdom. It may depend on how one defines speculate.

For myself, I sure couldn't afford this passion of speculative trading when I started. I did get beat to a pulp many times in the process of learning how to make it work but escaped long term devastating damage.

Now that I can afford it, my bank account keeps growing, but I do continue my trips to the woodshed and occasionally get beat to a pulp. I continue to be ashamed of the beating I allowed to happen with last years hog market explosion. Still no long term devastating damage.

I would have missed a very positive life changing opportunity, had I applied those words of wisdom to myself. It has taken a lot of discipline, hard work, and persistence to deal with the anxieties that go with this passion. I cannot define my trading as speculative anymore. If it was easy, I would have NO INTEREST. The bumps, bruises, and occasional beatings will continue, just part of life. NO PAIN-NO GAIN, one of my earliest life lessons and it has served me well.