Never Say Never

If I were to use a phrase to describe the course of 2008, it has to be "Never Say Never".

When oil started to drop from its peak of $150 and someone mentioned a $50 number, my son laughed and said oil will NEVER fall that low. He lost his bet.

When both my children thought Obama stood a good chance to become president, way before defeating Hilary Clinton, I said US will NEVER vote for a black president, at least not this election. I lost my bet.

When the banks sold the Lehman Minibonds to retail investors, they thought Lehman will NEVER fail. They got into deep trouble as a result.

When people thought a prisoner can NEVER escape from a Singapore prison, the most wanted person in Singapore did.

And so the list goes on and on. Out of all these shocks, a form of mental preparedness arose. The mind now learns to think that even the unimaginable can happen. So whilst some believe the financial crisis is far from over and may plunge into a depression, very few analysts dare to boldly declare NEVER. Vice versa very few analysts dare to boldly disagree with others who opined that a stock market rally is likely to occur in the last quarter of 2009. All have learnt to think NEVER SAY NEVER.

On a personal front I have my fair share of perceived "nevers" that eventually hurt. Nevertheless there is also one that brings unexpected delight. I used to think I will NEVER keep a cat as a pet because cats love comfort and take advantage of their owners. Then a cat walked into my home and from thence on I have often said with a twinkle in my eye "NEVER SAY NEVER".