Quote from qxr1011:
==Nothing is fate.===
I personally would not be so maximalistic.
For example: I ,unfortunately, was not born in USA - that's fate...

Each and every time when it is not a matter of choice it is fate...
In many aspects our choices are a matter of our personal genetics: certain people are wired certain way, and not much can be really done about that... [/B]
I disagree. You were born in the country your parents chose to live in. Not fate.
Genetics play a part, but not the final word. Choice is king. Believing anything else makes one prone to blame everything around himself and fail to take responsibility. It is a disease in the world today. How we are wired should be the first considerationon how we trade.
You are fat because you eat to much and much of it is crap. You don't exercise. Those are choices. (Yes - some people have disorders physical in nature....)
You fail at trading because you don't do your homework and/or you don't trade it with teh correct discipline.
You may have been abused as a child and hence suffer damage. Guess what - you are STILL in control.
My personal philosophy is simple. I do not worry about things I cannot control (like other people). I can't control them, so why worry? It is a waste of effort and energy. I don't worry about the things I can control either. I control them. Worry is stupid in this case.
Perhaps you can see how this applies to trading?
I cannot control the markets. I do not worry about them. I can absolutely control how I react to them though. I have the capacity to maintain 100% control over my actions. Discipline (SELF discipline) is the key.
I spent 6 months learning and observing the markets (Forex) and developing a very simple approach. (Brutally simple - simple is best!) I have been trading for 6 months live. In six months I have not had a losing week. Came close twice! I know when to trade, so I do. I know when to not trade - so I don't. Speculation is a losers game for me. It runs contrary to my personal philosophy. I do not expect a lifetime of perfect weeks - I am still human!
I could care less about other approaches. Some work better - but they are not to my personal taste.
Ultimately, success or failure is 100% in my control. Letting my emotions get the best of me is also a choice - one I choose not to indulge in. I do that playing Golf or Hockey!
Success or it is a choice I make. No fate. No genes. No outside influence. It is me and only me.
Trading is the ultimate test of independence and provides 100% freedom.
The choice is ours.