That’s the advice of a book I once read on Zen Buddhism. It’s a talent that surely might have come in handy last Monday as the Dow Jones tumbled by more than 600 points.

Many folks probably rushed to their computers or employed their handheld electronic gizmos to make impulsive decisions they may regret later. Most likely involving selling shares of stock in companies for which they once paid a much higher price.

Of course by the time our readers get this edition of the Gazette the market may have gyrated even more wildly in either direction.

What does seem clear is that the long ride of the baby boomers is coming closer to its end, along with all the distortions it has caused the nation’s economy.

Starting in the 1950s, they, and I count myself among them, enjoyed an unparalleled period of prosperity. The big demographic bump they formed moved through the population snake and now is getting ready to exit, changing its behavior now that the juices of youth are dried up and their thoughts turn to retirement.

The same folks who once bought the dot.com stocks with abandon and got burned, only to rebuild their savings are now flocking to buy bonds that yield less than 1950s passbook savings accounts once did. Just so they’ll have some money left to supplement Uncle Sam’s Social Security check and whatever company pension or retirement plan they may have.

Folks younger than we soon to be geezers will be left to fend for themselves, retiring at 67, 68, 69 or 70 if they’re lucky, as they are required to support us old timers in our dotage.

Selfish as always, we had fewer kids than our parents before us.

Youngsters in their 20s and 30s, Lord knows what sort of financial future they will face if the nation can’t figure a way to live within its means.

Man in the street

Our recent foray into the streets of Goochland by senior reporter Jim Fields is still generating comments on our Web site. Seems folks like to hear what others are thinking, so we’re planning on making it a regular thing.

With that in mind, we thought it a good idea to ask readers what questions our roving reporter should ask. With school getting ready to start, elections looming in November and another potentially difficult budget season coming, what would you like to know? Tell us what you want us to ask you and by gosh we’ll do it!

9/11

Speaking of asking, it’s only a month until the 10-year anniversary of that day which changed life for all of us. So far we haven’t heard much from readers about their memories of that day.

So call, write, email, or talk to us in person but please let us know what your thoughts are 10 years later. We’ll pass them along to the community.