The day I arrived in Korea was the day the first snow had just swept through. From 'summer,' I crossed 16 hours of time to arrive in 'winter.' As I stepped on the first snow, the scene in front of this seemed to whisper something to a Miami boy.

The freezing weather, the white snow, and the white breath escaping from my lips didn’t match at all with the vivid, lively, and energetic art piece before me. It quickly turned the surroundings into a blurred background. Bokeh effect*

Bokeh effect is a popular photographic technique which uses blur to focus the viewer's attention on a specific area of an image

While born different and unique from anyone else in the world, we, as we live our lives, we think more about how to compare ourselves with others, how to be better than them, and what we have or lack compared to others, rather than blooming with our own color. The unique 'something' the Creator breathed into each of us slowly fades like uniquely shaped stones worn down by their environment to look alike and becomes just one of many, not even noticeable.

In the world of investing, too, waves of external noise crash over us—how much others are earning, what excites them, what disheartens them, where they are putting their money. If the numbers rise today, our life feels euphoric; if they fall tomorrow, sorrow takes hold. The random but irresistible motion of 'lines,' known as 'price movements,' endlessly shaking their shoulders, waist, hips, and legs, becomes a shepherd, literally dragging us like sheep to wherever it wants to lead.

Even in the cold around, even when everything turns white, there is its own strong, captivating, attractive self we see on the photo. Without trying to beat its surroundings, it naturally makes them blur away with its powerful vibe. It’s ‘best’ state we can be that no one can copy. The special 'talent' the Creator gave each of us when throwing us into this world. Maybe it is also what Aristotle called to search - Own balance that will spark your own ‘arete’, excellence. 

May I grow like the tree