Personal Notes Series 003 : Ordeals and Purpose

It's been 5 solid years since I started active trading. And as I look back to all that I've been through - the memories of all the good and bad experiences, It still feels as if it's not enough, and that I know nothing.

There are days when I wake and think 

"How the hell did I got this far?"

I wasn't a full time trader when I started.

And as I an idealist, it was hard to live in a corrupted world.

I remember my strong distaste for having a job and working for bosses and supervisors that disregarded excellence, progress and innovation. It saddened me when I saw the people in power, tripping and bullying those who were weak. I know how it feels to be weak and I wanted to be a defender. A hero. But it always broke my heart when I was deemed wrong and had to suffer the consequences whenever I tried standing up to evil.

"Tiis ka lang. Matatapos din to."

But for how long?

I guess that was one of the reasons that pushed me to where I am
 now. I swore that time not bow down to anyone but God.

Trading was the perfect escape. 

No forced "OT"

No corrupt BOSS

No job I didn't like

I was naive. So I Borrowed trading money and took the leap of faith.

(I DO NOT RECOMMEND YOU DO THIS)

There were seasons when I lost a lot and almost went crazy. Just imagine borrowing 4 Million and Lose 3M+ , then all of a sudden the people who you borrowed from (who by the way, don't know each other) would ask for their money at the same time.

But looking at how things went, I know that I had to go through that terrible experience for a reason.

I got to know and experience that there really is a God out there.

That it wasn't just tradition or religion.

I got to understand who I was, that I had purpose in life.

To inspire others. (Naiinspire nga ba kayo?) 
To set an example. A standard.

And be a testimony of God's love and principles.

I look at some of my trades and go

"Meh."

But deep inside I understand that it is by God's power and principles that I am able to pull off trades beyond the average trader. For I know very well who I am - that I do not always have the patience nor the discipline.

I remember another experience, of God telling me one time to divide and give 6 figures to several groups of people. And during this time, I had a 7 figure loss In my port. It was hard. But I had faith.

"If God won't save me on this ordeal, I'll just have my favorite food
 for the rest of the year - or the rest of  my life lang naman."

Of course I would be lying If I said I didn't have my doubts.

"Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of 
everything you produce. Then He will fill your barns with grain,
 and your vats will overflow with good wine."

What BS is this?

Common sense would tell us that it is always better to receive than
 to give. Giving is an honorable act. But who in their right mind
 thinks giving is better than receiving?

 But I tell you, try the principle above and you'll be surprised.

Tithing or surrendering 10% of what you have to God can do wonders.

Imagine what God can do if you act in faith and give more.

I guess sooner or later we'll end up like William Colgate.

5 Awesome roller coaster years.

Not sure how I'll end this post. So I will just share what happened several nights ago when we had an open chat with non ZFT Traders. We had a great time. I had a great time. And after all the technical and personal questions people had, one student asked me this:

(Ano nga ba? What's yours?)

Of course "Pills" wasn't my answer.

"The essence of being a trader? 

parang miss universe lang ah..."

"To be a master of one's emotions and 

to risk not just for one's own benefit 

but for others."

-Love ZF

Personal Notes Series 001

Dreams. 

We all have them.

I particularly, am a person with big dreams. I am not a rich person. Nor is my family. And by this, I mean that even if we combine all our assets and work our asses off, we won't even reach 12M PHP worth. And by judging my capacity, the culture, the connections and the opportunities around me, I have safely concluded that it wouldn't be feasible to attain my dreams on my preferred retirement age of 30, if I'd follow our world's system of living.

Side note: Some "shortcuts" were plausible, but since I am a person groomed with morals and integrity, I have chosen to uphold the law.

In my years of seeking financial freedom and handling money, I have gotten myself into different kinds of jobs and tested financial laws and systems. Tried the very basic of jobs, you may even call some demeaning. Tried work overseas, networking, call centers, direct selling, teaching in schools, etc. Many of course were failures, a few were decent, and some were ordinary.

And of course, you already know how stocks have been to me.

"So what's your secret Zee?" 

I get this question a lot.

Now just to set the record and my credentials, I have no proper financial education. Zero. None. Nada. I didn't read (or at least didn't finish reading) ANY financial books - too lazy to do that. Unless of course you'd count my subjects in college in Accounting and Economics 101. LOL.

Now as to my secret.

I would just love to say it's all me and my superior intellect. But it isn't. It's God's wisdom.

Say wuuut? You heard that right. And I know I'm so deep, I can see Adele Rolling.

But out of all the systems I've tried, God's principles and laws on finances have proven to be far superior than any lawful human system I've gotten into. 

By now some of you are like, W.T.F. has ZF been smoking?

This is weird for me to write this stuff on my blog as well. But hell I'll write it because even though ZF is fictional, the God ZF serves ain't. I wouldn't be writing this in the first place if all I get is hateful mocking from unbelievers and haters.

Now deal with it and let me continue.

Let me put it this way. Intellect is when you are able to solve and pass complex physics shit with flying colors. Wisdom is being able to teach that same shit to a kid who's about to start grade school.

In the world of stocks I'm the grade schooler and God, my teacher.

Human as I am, I tend to put a schedule on things especially when it comes to money - and when it doesn't go my way, I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be discouraged. But you know what? When God promises, He definitely delivers. And it's even mind blowing when the 'package' you receive exceeds your expectations. 

God cannot deny himself. But God cannot be mocked and cannot be BRIBED. That is why It's important to check your motives - Your innermost being. Are you serving God? Or are you serving Money? One can easily argue that he would give more if he gets more. But the thing is, God's principles and laws work differently than the ways of us humans. If you can't be trusted with the less that you have, how can you be trusted with greater or more valuable things than material stuff and money?

God is no Genie nor a Quick Fix to your problems.
Know your place.

A few days ago, I have taken up a NEW challenge. A testing if you may of one of God's principles and laws in finances. This would be my first of this kind. This isn't really the usual thing of the tithe, regular offerings, or charity works, but since it's biblical, then let's do this.

I've already set aside my budget until my next "special" reset on October. And I have no idea where I'll get that 6 figure I pledged by the end of September. Subasta funds will not go to this pledge. So It'll be one hell of a miracle especially in this kind of effed up market sentiment.

Somewhere in the bible, there's this law and promise...

and this is one of the things I continually hold on to as I surrender my finances to the person "up there" and take up this new challenge.

I'm pretty sure this post has to do with someone who has the same calling as mine... I'd just love to hear your story.

And if there's one thing this post will prove, it's how someone ordinary will be doing extraordinary things, not because of his own strength and intellect, but because of a God of extremes - who btw, also calls out to YOU... to bring you to your destiny.

Are you ready?

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I'll be updating this post in the future.