So now we move ahead

Investing in people is always something of a gamble. Initially you  have to base your decision to invest on perceived value. It's not always easy, because just as in any investment not everything is known or disclosed, and therein lies the inherent risk.

The prospectus will always be glowingly optimistic, the expected yield ambitious, but the true return will always derive from the omissions, the failures to disclose. This is not in any way deceit, it is simply that few people are capable of the level of critical self examination needed to be completely forthright. Every day brings change, every change adds to the risk, and every new risk complicates the nature of the investment.

Here's the thing. If you've invested in someone, chances are they've invested, at least in some measure, in you. They're counting on you to be there when they need you. But if they're risk averse, as many people are after suffering loss and hurt, they'll omit more to protect the value of their own investment.

If you value them remember why you took the risk of investing in the first place. It's not always necessary to cash in your chips when the dynamic changes, but it is important to recognize the change, accept it, and then move forward in a positive new light.

The two most important words I've used here are "expect" and "accept."

Expectation is the root of all disappointment. If you don't want to be disappointed, don't expect, just accept. You'll live a much happier life, and you'll never lose again.