This Diwali, Move from Darkness to Light

As a father of a daughter who’s growing up fast (well, that’s the way all daughters grow), I am often confused how to teach her about festivals so that she can make a personal connection with them.

I try to relate it to concepts that she already knows about.

From my experience, I have found that children often seem to get confused with the traditions that surround festivals such as Diwali, and miss the moral of the story.

Before taking them to the temple or having them light the candles, I think it is important to talk to them about the festival and the significance.

Many times they have no idea why they are celebrating it. This just leads to more ignorance about their culture.

This is despite the fact that the whole point of a festival like Diwali is to “light” up their minds with knowledge – and to dispel their ignorance.

Anyways, coming to the moral or the lesson, during Diwali, you use lights to think more about how you can move away from darkness, to bring more “light” into your life.

You think about where you are and where you need to be in your future.

You think of your own life and how to be more responsible by making the right decisions.

Let this Diwali be no different.

But this Diwali, I would recommend you to have one more thought – and that is, how you can be more responsible in handling your money by investing it in the most independent and sensible way.

I know you already are responsible with what you think is right when it comes to investing your hard-earned money.

You want to play it safe while at the same time try to grow your wealth to meet your long term financial goals.

But then, a little more responsibility – a little more awareness about investing – is always welcome.

Like knowing…

• Why am I investing?
• Where am I investing?
• Am I willing to take full responsibility of all my investing decisions?
• Am I willing to commit money for the long term?
• Will this financial advisor work in my best interest?
• Does this investment suit my long term goals or am I speculating to make a quick buck?
• Am I emotionally prepared for investing in stock markets?
• Am I taking too much risk?
• What if my investment decisions go wrong?
• Do I have a proper investment plan?

You see, no one can teach you how you must conduct yourself when it comes to handling (saving and investing) your own money.

The only person who can help you in this is…You. It has to come from within you.

You need to have self-awareness (answering the above questions would help), and then invest with a plan.

See, we all want our children to move from darkness to light in their lives.

Let this festival of lights be also about our own “inner light” – how we can use our own strengths – our guiding light – to become more sensible, smarter, and independent in making our investment decisions.

Here’s wishing this Diwali brings you the utmost in peace and prosperity.