Trading, on the surface, seems like a battle of numbers and charts, but in reality, it is a game with human emotions and an agreement with fate. Some say that the way of trading is like a martial arts secret, holding the wisdom that 'the strong are easily broken, only the soft and yielding can traverse the world.' Today, we won't talk about cold, hard techniques, nor boring strategies; we will discuss the soul behind this art—how to hold onto oneself and smile at the storm in the market.
Have you ever had a moment like this: watching the K-line on the screen fluctuate violently, your heart pounding like a drum, fear and greed tearing at you inside? The market does not care about your feelings; it is as cold as ice, listening to neither your complaints nor pitying your tears. The first principle of trading is not to make money, but to survive. As the ancients said, 'As long as the green mountains remain, one need not fear the lack of firewood'—you must first preserve your capital before you can talk about the future.
On this path, you must learn to let go of yourself. Don't let anger cloud your judgment; don't let fear bind your hands and feet; and don't let greed blind your eyes. The market is your mirror, reflecting your inner distractions. If you let emotions lead you, you lose not only money but also your peace of mind. I once saw an old trader who remained unflustered in the face of a market crash, calmly saying, "The market owes me nothing, and I owe the market nothing." That kind of indifference is like autumn leaves, drifting with the wind, yet possessing its own charm.
"Wait for the right moment to act." Like a cheetah lying in wait, hold your ground and wait for the chance to win. You don't need to act every second; sometimes the market is like a resting lion, and you must patiently wait for it to awaken. Risk is everywhere, and cutting losses is a necessary lesson in trading. When faced with a stop loss, don’t grit your teeth or regret it; accept it calmly, just like you accept the fresh air after a rain—it wakes you up and makes you stronger.
The true essence of trading is not to rush to chase opportunities, but to quietly wait—waiting for the risks to drop to a minimum, and for the hidden golden moments of profit. When the market has trends, you should dance with the wind like a kite, following the trend; when there is no trend, you should meditate like an old monk, observing its changes and waiting for the right moment. Those who know when to act and when not to act, and understand the principle of 'governing by doing nothing,' are the true wise ones in trading.
But human nature loves to complicate the simple. We always want to control everything, fear missing every wave of rise and fall, and try to fill our inner unease with complex indicators and strategies. Little do we know, the highest realm of trading is returning to simplicity—simple mindset, simple actions. Greed makes us chase unrealistic profits, fear makes us miss stable opportunities, and impulsiveness makes us overlook the abyss of risk. In the end, the contest in trading is not with the market but with our own desires, a struggle between human nature and morality.
"The strong are easily broken; only the soft and yielding can traverse the world" is like a guiding principle for trading. The market is like a battlefield; strength is easily broken, while flexibility lasts long. You need to be like water—soft yet resilient, flowing with the market's direction but not being swallowed by it; like a mountain—steady as a rock, standing firm yet able to accommodate countless changes.
The soul of a professional trader is not in the numbers on the balance sheet, but in that rich and profound inner self. They are not disturbed by the clamor of ups and downs, understand waiting and restraint, and possess a Zen-like peace and insight. They respect the market but do not fear it; they pursue profit but are not blinded by greed. Such traders are often wise in life—they may be silent, yet they dance freely in the market, elegantly responding to each rise and fall like a dancer.
The way of trading is actually a microcosm of life. It teaches us how to face the unknown, how to reconcile with our inner selves, and how to find balance between risk and opportunity. The market will not always be calm, but as long as you maintain a flexible mindset and learn to wait and observe, you can find your own harbor in this ocean filled with temptation and challenges.
Imagine this: in the deep of night, you quietly stare at the screen, the market's ups and downs ebbing and flowing like the tide, while your heart is as still as water, a slight smile on your lips—this is a kind of transcendent composure. In that moment, you are not just a trader, but a philosopher of life.
May you hold your true self amidst the waves of the market, soft as water, calm as a mountain, and laugh at the changing winds and clouds!