January is named for the Roman god Janus, the spirit of doorways and transitions. Janus has two faces; one looks to the past, the other to the future. I suppose the ancient Romans decided that January was an apt name for the coldest and darkest month of the year. By then the crops were in and the winter solstice celebrated. In the dead of winter, with no football, Netflix, or iPhone diversions, this was an ideal time for the Ancients to reflect back and look forward.
Looking back, 2020 was a ‘Twilight Zone’ year filled mostly with ‘Groundhog Day’ days. For investors, the global money tsunami created by central banks floated almost all financial boats. This market euphoria came in spite of a global economy crippled by a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic, and millions of people being forced out of work. In spite of the obvious negatives, there were also positives. When one door closes, Janus opens another, and we discover new activities and new things to enjoy. I also suspect we all have a renewed appreciation for things formerly taken for granted … simple pleasures like dining with friends, seeing peoples’ faces, attending social events, and hugging those we love.
Looking ahead, 2021 will be like every new year … unpredictable. As the noted investor Warren Buffett once said, ‘In the business world … the rear-view mirror is always clearer than the windshield.’ All we can do is look back to history as a guide, assess current conditions, and then look forward. However, there is one thing I can safely predict; 2021 will bring new pleasures and insights. A few discoveries of mine from 2020:
As we look forward, I hope you have many delightful discoveries in the New Year.
Thank you for reading my note. If you enjoyed it, share it with a friend. And please let me know what’s on your mind.
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