Have I ever faced a darkest moment? Yes, obviously, given my age and the ups and downs of life. But when I reflect on my journey, a more recent moment stands out – one that I encountered in investing. It's the time I made the decision not to sell my TLT ETF when it crossed $100 per share. Fast forward to today, and it's now hovering around $90, which can be a little disheartening.

At first, I felt a pang of regret, thinking about the opportunity I missed to realize a profit. It's easy to get caught up in the 'what-ifs,' especially when you see the market fluctuating and realize you could have capitalized on that swing. But then, I remind myself that trading isn't just about catching the highs; it's also about managing risk and having a long-term perspective.

I look on the bright side of life, as they say. Even though I didn't lock in those gains when TLT was high, I continue to receive stable and regular dividends from it. This is a valuable reminder of the power of holding quality assets for the long term. In fact, this situation has been a good lesson in patience and the importance of dividend income, which can provide financial stability even in volatile markets.

Moreover, every trade, whether successful or not, contributes to growth. The knowledge gained from making decisions, whether right or wrong, only sharpens my trading strategy and my understanding of the market. Sometimes, it’s about playing the long game and not letting short-term fluctuations cloud your judgment.

Another lesson I've learned is that the market doesn’t always move in a straight line. There will always be peaks and valleys, and not every decision will result in immediate gains. However, it's the cumulative effect of all those decisions that shape your overall portfolio performance. So while TLT’s price might be lower than I’d hoped for, the dividend returns are still helping to balance out the situation, and that’s a win in my book.

In the grand scheme of things, I’m grateful for the lessons I've learned and the financial habits I’ve developed over the years. While the darkest moments may feel discouraging at the time, they often turn out to be the most important experiences, teaching us resilience, perspective, and the value of sticking to a plan.