Monday, January 30, 2012

Serendipity ~ BFF 163

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When I saw the BFF topic for Monday Madness, I had an immediate flashback to a point in time we all will remember for as long as we live. That moment in time was September 11, 2001.

Actually, my serendipity moment occurred before the attack…by mere hours. I was on my computer late at night September 10, 2001. As I was about to shut down, a thought flashed through my mind and I acted upon that thought immediately, and then shut down my computer for the night.

Just a little back story is necessary… I had a retirement fund that had been quite prosperous during the Clinton administration. It multiplied like a bunch of happy bunnies. Then shortly before Bush took office, my chosen funds began to fluctuate. Over the next several months, my funds lost money. I tried to be a good trooper and ride out the storm, but the fact was that I had no confidence that the market would come back anytime soon.

So…back to just minutes away from midnight, September 10, 2001… I had a sudden thought, which was this: “I am sick and tired of losing money…” I logged into my retirement fund, and then moved every penny into a fixed income account. Confidant that I had stopped my retirement funds from flowing down the drain, I went to bed and slept like a baby. In the morning, like most of the citizens of our great nation, I greeted a beautiful day with not a clue of what was to come.

The stock market was shut down that day and for a few days. During that lull in market activity, there was a public plea for people to not remove their funds from the market. I did not want to be an ugly American, so I called my financial institution to see if my transaction could be reversed before the market opened again. I was transferred to a financial counselor who asked me how close I was to retirement. When I told him, he told me that he was advising that I let the transaction go through as I intended before this horrible national tragedy. He advised that, in his opinion, I would not be working long enough to recover the losses this terrorist attack would most likely generate. He also said my small amount would not make much difference when the stock market reopened.  So, it was decided to let all my funds go into the fixed account as soon as the financial market opened again. And so it did. I had many friends close to retirement who took a beating, financially, as soon as the market opened again. I did not lose a penny!

Lest anyone think I am wealthy, I will clarify that I didn’t have enough in that account that I could afford to lose any more than I had already lost, which over several months was in the neighborhood of $500. That loss was a significant amount compared to what was in the account at that time. Nor have I moved any funds back to the stock market since that time. I am retired now for 3 ½ years. I don’t have money to play with….

I like to think that the Lord was watching out for me. What do you think?

 

Darlene Cirinna

January 30, 2012

26 comments:

  1. I think you're right. My funds were largely invested in high tech - to say I took a beating is an understatement. My accounts were wiped out. I'm glad that counselor took a few minutes to think about your needs and provide good advice!

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    1. I am so sorry that happened to you. My Dad had half of his retirement funds in blue chips and half in mutuals. I don't remember now which one, but one of those investments cost him half of his retirement money. I hate that happened to my Dad who was already retired.

      Thanks for reading and for your comment.

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  2. I think something in your mind was bugging at you, telling you that losing money that way could not go on. That night just happened to be the one where your brain said 'Okay, I'm listening, and I'll act.' I am glad you hung on to your money though, and managed to get sound advice in the middle of a dreadful situation. :o)

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    1. It was, indeed, on my mind for months and while I tried to wait it out, it just struck me in an instant that I wasn't going to lose another penny.... So, I moved it! I am grateful to that counselor because my conscience wanted to erase the action for the good of our nation... Like that would make a difference with my little bitty nest egg....

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  3. I think you have great instincts Darlene.

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  4. Sometimes that inner voice (I like to think it is His Spirit guiding me) leads us at the right time in the right direction. Perhaps not money related...but one time I was sleeping like a baby--and I woke up with an unmistakable voice telling me to "Pray for so-and-so" Funny, I had not thought of this person in sometime. I obeyed the voice and I prayed--for several hours. Eventually, I fell back to sleep and woke the next morning with this person on my mind.

    Word came two days later, this person was in a severe car wreck...life flighted to a major hospital- and by far out of the woods. They said how he survived in the first place was a miracle. I have no doubt that prayer played a part.

    The point is--when we feel we need to make a change or something will keep nagging us until we do--better to listen to that inner voice and follow through. You did just that--and that is called Wisdom.

    Cheers, Jenn.

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    1. Jenn!!! That very thing happened to me too. First time was to pray for my cousin, who I found out later had been in an auto accident. The other time I heard a voice tell me to pray for prostitutes. I just did as I was told. I'll never know why...

      I just thought of another story I should have written. I was at a river with a bunch of friends. I was sleeping on a blanket when I heard my neighbor's son yell that Shannon (his little sister of maybe 5-6 years old) was under the water. I jumped up and ran into the water. I reached into the river and pulled Shannon out from under water. One of my husband's friends was close by and had long legs, so I handed her off to him. It looked like he ran on top of the water. LOL... Anyway, someone started pushing on her back. Water ran out her nose and mouth. Soon she coughed and started crying. When all had settled down, her mother turned to me and said "I am so glad you noticed that Shannon was drowning." I told her that I was asleep and when her son yelled, I just jumped up and ran. She looked at me like I had 2 heads and said "Scott didn't say a thing. All we know is that you jumped up and ran into the river." Her son sat next to her and solemnly shook his head and said "I didn't say anything...I didn't know why you ran into the water." I still get shivers when I think of that day.

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    2. Darlene and Jenn, you gave me chills! There are more things in heaven and earth...

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  5. Trusting that little voice is ALWAYS a good idea. Too many people ignore it or let other stuff drown it out.

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    1. I completely agree. I can think of situations that could have gotten bad had I not listened to that still, small voice.

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  6. Wow Darlene--that is wild!! I've had a few instances of that voice telling me to pray--the most prevalent one was the one I shared where my friend should not have survived the wreckage--and somehow did. In any case--it is awesome that the "voice" told you to go in and save her...seriously she could have been anywhere under that water!! Now that is amazing! Now my wheels are turning for a blog!! Cheers, Jenn

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  7. You know it sister.

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  8. I live eat and breath by my intuition. Yes, I do believe the voice, God was nudging you and you listened. Well done my friend.

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    1. Me too... And my husband has really good intuition too! Better than mine at times. It helps that he listens well too.

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  9. I love that you are such a smart and intuitive woman. His voice is sometimes soft and barely audible and others is loud and booming, but it's always there. Great story, well told and my friend and wonderful human, great heart. ♥

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    1. I have been blessed enough to hear both soft and booming. I remember once that I was ready to bail out of a situation. That is when I heard the booming voice say... "I AM NOT FINISHED YET!" So, I didn't bail... I had to later ~ much later ~ tears later ~ but with lesson learned and the time was right to be done with it all.

      Thank you for your sweet comments.

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    2. Sorry... That was to read *YEARS later, but tears work too...

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  10. Yes, I do believe the Lord was looking out for you. I always credit that little voice to the Holy Ghost. It ALWAYS pays to listen to it.

    I also wanted to thank you for dropping by my other blog and leaving that comment on the backslidden post. I had completely forgotten about it and it was time for me to read it. I credit your visit to God as well, for He needed me to see what I was doing. Thanks Darlene. God bless you. <3

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    1. And He needed me to see what you wrote too! Thanks again for that.

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  11. Pop over to my blog when you get a minute, Darlene. It's award time *grin*

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    1. Will do! Thanks!

      Maybe one day I will get around to posting my awards. In the meanwhile, I have them all tucked away on my computer. ;-)

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  12. LOL! And you say you don't believe in luck! And there you have it. Darlene, on that day you were fortune's child.

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    1. I was! And I will always be grateful whether luck or favor...

      Now, you have caught my fancy with the "fortune's child" part of your comment. It may very well become a future BFF inspiration. Thanks!!!

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