Exam

Early this week, I took the FINRA Series 3 exam after 3 weeks of study from 2 different study guides. I had been inspired to focus on commodities and hedging studies, as I had reflected back to 3 different times during my professional life where I found work in this area really interesting and a bit fun due to the stimulation and intellectual challenge. In the future, it seems commodities and hedging may be important in our changed economy despite AI advancement.

The better news was that I excelled at least in one of 2 areas. The bad news was I found my lack of computer practice on more complex practice test questions left me with not performing well due to the time allocation. Yes the regulatory aspect was easier to learn and required less practice for me. Math, I have enjoyed over the years, but for my achievement, I require more practice.

I was disappointed but not because I would need to work harder on this before seeing more success. The crux of this situation or decision was based on my choice to choose an area to get up-to-date education and begin work back in the corporate world. I have matured and grown substantially in bandwidth, wiseness, and even more in tenacity, over my breaks from the corporate world and with my banker position of more recent. So I do not regret the time I have needed to heal, grow, develop in various aspects of self and life.

Funny in a “tongue-in-cheek” way, I am prying myself out of a box I created. I created some semblance of stability and self assurance of who I am with more skills than I fully realized before. Blessing or curse, one would ask. We in Washington DC, the United States of America, and the world/earth, are going through great change - along with great conflict among many due to different ideas, ideologies, and emotions. Sometimes there seems to be instigators who prefer to torch and create flames - for one’s sense of amusement or power. Politics and finances are hot topics, along with, at times, lack of humanitarian sensitivities. There seems to be some trying to rectify the humanitarian aspect despite or amongst the demand of other great change.

My exam for me - in some ways represents many who on a greater scale feel their lives and emotions are being tested. As you know, people react differently. Some deflect, ignore, or face head-on in almost a defiant manner. We humans, who are able to use their left and right side of our brains with a sense of balance, see there is hope, hope through the power of the Creator of All Creation. Of course, there are those that have a variety of personal belief systems which can conflict with others if they are vehemently declared with harshness and obstinacy.

We are all going through tests of faith. There is undeniable trust in humanity - from turning vile, viciousness to a more cohesive yet independent individual identities which have God given talents and are able to give voice to and contribute in a positive healthy way - versus in an over controlled, monopolistic type of lifestyle. Never forget we each have talents and can choose how to develop and use them. What you feed with your choices, can steer you in the direction of destruction or in life and expansion. The decision to act and focus on good or evil can certainly be applied here. The truth is how we live our lives are based on the thoughts we continue to listen to. Actions can enhance or destroy from our possibilities and opportunity for growth and improving, versus creating decay. We each have a choice.