In recent days, my Occidental Petroleum (OXY) stock has been performing exceptionally well, largely due to the increase in oil prices driven by mounting concerns over escalating tensions in the Middle East. While I am relieved to see the value of my investment rise, I find it difficult to take genuine satisfaction from this outcome. On one hand, the increase in oil prices undeniably benefits my portfolio. But on the other hand, I cannot ignore the troubling reasons behind this spike.

It is unsettling to think that my financial gain is indirectly tied to instability and conflict. The turmoil in the Middle East, which has far-reaching and devastating consequences for countless lives, is not something anyone should celebrate. Though the increase in oil prices is not something I control, I still feel conflicted because, as a human being, I have been taught to value empathy and compassion for others. Knowing that geopolitical tensions can drive up oil prices, I cannot help but reflect on the real human cost behind those numbers on the stock ticker.

At the end of the day, I do not wish for unrest or suffering, especially when it impacts the livelihoods and safety of innocent people. While it is natural to feel some relief about the positive effect on my portfolio and I recognize that global events often drive markets in ways that are beyond any individual's control, but as a human being, I find it hard to fully celebrate financial gains when it comes at the cost of such hardship for others.