Put Your Feet In It, Not Your Head

A common expression in our culture for someone who refuses to face facts, or who refuses to think about an unpleasant situation, is said to be one who is putting their head in the sand.

In the Illustrated Oxford Dictionary the definition of an ostrich is, “A large African swift-running flightless bird, with long legs and two toes on each foot.”  The second definition is, “a person who refuses to accept facts.” Ostriches are often depicted bent over, with their head hiding in the sand. It’s a telling and troubling image, given that the rest of the big bird is completely exposed and now it can’t see anything.

So an ostrich refers to a bird that cannot fly, and a person who will not accept the facts. I love sand. After all, I choose to live in the high desert of New Mexico. I also love walking on the beach, having done so recently in California as well as Jamaica.  Beach combing, collecting sea shells, and building sand castles can be great fun.

While sand is absolutely wonderful to put your feet in at the beach or to hike on in the desert, sand is not a suitable environment for one’s head. Still it seems as if hiding in it has become the emotional terrain of choice for many today, when it comes to the state of our global economy.

We have a world-wide debt crisis, several potential government defaults, even a possible US default is in the news, and hyperinflation seems certain.  Every currency on the planet is a fiat currency, backed by rhetoric and road apples rather than bullion. And yet the mainstream media talks about recovery; and reports on the various debt plans being proposed – as if the discussions in Washington were substantive rather than mere posturing and politicking. The great American eagle has been rendered flightless, and our so-called leaders have become feckless.

So, for those willing to look at and accept the facts, to get in the game, and to give serious thought to this more than unpleasant situation, what recourse do we have?  What resources are available? Fortunately, there are some real experts with integrity who are absolutely committed to helping others protect and position themselves for what lies ahead. 

Even those of us who want to know more and are willing to take action, who have no intention of putting our heads in the sand, find ourselves in what is fast becoming a different type of sand.  We are caught in a kind of economic quicksand and must take decisive measures so as not to lose our personal financial footing.

Every expert I work with and trust has said that one of the very best hedges against the plunging value of the dollar, and every other paper currency, is gold and silver bullion. Gold and silver are also the best hedge against  imminent inflation.

I remember some years back when I was the executive director and steward of a large agency with several million dollars in assets. I worked closely with a wonderful banker for several years.  One day she told me that she and her husband were moving out-of-state.  Just after being told this, the bank President called and invited me to lunch.  I told him that I was honored, and I knew how busy he was.  I assured him that our account was secure with his bank, despite Katherine’s leaving, and that he needn’t take me to lunch.  He chuckled good-naturedly, since that was the impetus for his invitation.  Then he said he really did want to meet with me anyway.  During what ended up a lengthy and very enjoyable lunch, I still recall a vivid part of the conversation. 

At one point I said, “You know Bob, I’ve been meaning to buy stock in the bank.”  And his response really got to me.  He said, “Linda, I hope you don’t wait too long to purchase the stock.  I don’t want to be sitting here having lunch with you a year from now and hear you say you wish you hadn’t waited.” I purchased a number of shares that week; and a year later they had significantly gone up in price and value.

I talk to a number of people who are now considering purchasing gold and silver.  There is a growing awareness of the importance of owning these precious metals; today’s only real “money” of true and lasting value.  And one of the things I hear is, “Gee, I hate to buy it now.  I remember when it was $300.00 an ounce.”  Or, “Well, it’s so high right now, I think I’ll wait and see if it comes down before I buy any.”  To me, those are what I call bona fide ostrich statements.  All of the signs would indicate that gold and silver are only going to go up in value, with some temporary fluctuations to be expected.  Any time the price of these metals goes down, I see it simply as a great buying opportunity to acquire more. And if one studies the projected highs and understands what is inevitably on the way, you’d know that we will be looking back at today’s prices as an incredible bargain.

If you are remotely interested in learning more; are casually considering acquiring gold and silver; or if you’ve decided it’s the right and timely thing to do, but you don’t know how to go about it,  I urge you to look at the tremendous educational articles and videos by Mike Maloney, one of the world’s leading experts, which are available without cost or obligation.  You may find them at http://www.wealthwithheart.net/gold-and-silver, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the banner icon.

However you proceed, I hope you will do so with your eyes open, your head in the game, and without further delay. I don’t want to have lunch with you in the next few months or next year, and have you recounting your regrets.  Instead, let me hear from you that you took decisive action, and are incredibly glad and grateful that you did.