No Red, No Buy; No Green, No Sell

No Red, No Buy; No Green, No Sell Monk: Don't buy unless it's red; don't sell unless it's green. Investor: How red? How green? Monk: Nothing else—only what feels comfortable. The investor awakens and bows. Topics: Invest, Allocation.

A retail investor visited a monastery to seek guidance.

Investor: Master, I slapped myself twice today.

Monk: Strike yourself and your face will swell. Because of action and reaction, your hand will ache as well. What has driven you to such self-blame that you would hurt yourself?

Investor: I sold a stock I believed in. After I let it go, it surged, and I’m filled with regret.

Monk: If your guts are green with remorse, you could always take some Double-Leaf Twin-Eyed Dragon to purge the stagnation.

Investor: I’m talking about stocks, not my intestines. Please listen carefully, Master.

Monk: A stock is like a flower. When you don’t look at it, the flower rests silently with your heart. When you do, its colors suddenly come alive.

Investor: Master, I’m talking about stocks, not Wang Yangming’s philosophy. Please, really listen.

Monk: Then what happened with your stock?

Investor: I sold too early. One stock hit two straight limit-ups after I bought it—I’m short 20%. Another has risen for five consecutive days since I sold.

Monk: Let it go. In this world everything hinges on fate. What is not yours cannot be forced.

Investor: I want financial freedom. Please show me the way.

Monk: In that case, I’ll grant you a formula for prosperity.

Investor: And what would that be, Master?

Monk: Don’t buy unless it’s red. Don’t sell unless it’s green.

Investor: How red? How green?

Monk: Nothing else matters—only what lets you feel at ease.

The investor awakened, bowed his head, and paid his respects.