Be Careful When You Look Out the Window 🧐

The Sunday Essay ☕️

Does it ever occur to you that hard work is like riding a train? And the longer you stay on the train, the further you move down the track?

But along the way, as you glance out the window, you’ll see a stream of enticing sights urging you to step off. What you may not realize, however, is that the best attractions lie further down the line—the rewards get better the longer you stay onboard.

In the beginning, though, you don’t know this, and the first few stops look tempting. You may think to yourself, “I’ve been on this train a while; surely, I’ve earned a break.” So, you hop off to explore these immediate opportunities.

Some people, once off, never return; the comfort of rest outweighs the rigid seats of discipline. Others reboard, and if you do, you may notice that the faces on the train have all changed. The passengers you were riding with earlier had moved on when you stepped off. 

You remember this lesson. 

Still, you continue on, meeting new people and finding yourself drawn to more exciting rest stops along the way. Some are simple; others offer wild, fleeting thrills. When you give in, the seductive lure of adventure tempts you to stay longer. Yet, as you linger, you begin noticing the faces around you—many have been here far too long. The novelty fades, and you question whether their happiness is real or a passing thrill.

But not you; you choose growth, so you get back on the train, each time reboarding with an enhanced perspective.

You may not be as far along the track as you wanted, but you’re wiser. You’ve tested boundaries, learned more about yourself, and have begun to develop a clearer vision of what you want. Now, as you look out the window, the frivolous attractions no longer pull at you as they once did. You’re able to stay on the train much longer.

As you continue, new, richer experiences appear—specialized and meaningful. You sample some, quickly recognizing which ones truly enrich you. Others captivate your mind, sparking deep questions and complex thoughts, and with each detour, you return to the train with a stronger sense of purpose.

You notice something else. The passengers around you have become more familiar, as many are now searching for the same valuable stops, stepping off and back on together.

Though you still encounter brief distractions outside the window, they’ve become grander and flashier than those of the past. You think back to those who stayed at the earlier stops, wondering if they’ll ever reboard. By lingering too long, they may miss the profound opportunities that lie further down the track, unaware of what they sacrificed by choosing near-term comfort over long-term growth.

The irony is that if we abandon the journey too soon, we’ll never know what could have awaited us. In life, staying on the train—staying disciplined—holds the promise of unseen rewards, richer than the fleeting temptations of the early stops. Only by staying the course do we get to experience everything the journey truly has to offer.

Get back on the train. 

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In this week’s podcast episode, Dr. Pascal Lottaz and I discussed shifting global power dynamics, emphasizing the transition from a unipolar (Western-led) to a multipolar system. Dr. Lottaz advocates for better conflict management approaches, underscoring the growing influence of non-Western countries in shaping global stability through neutrality and new alliances.

Three Interesting Takeaways:

1. Comparing Conflict Management in Western versus Non-Western States

Quote: "There are other regions of the world that are better at conflict management... these regions are currently increasing in importance." - Dr. Lottaz

My (summarized) takeaway: Non-Western countries, especially those within BRICS, have created mechanisms that balance cooperation with conflict, managing disputes without escalating to full-blown war (India/China active border dispute in the Himalayas).

2. Discussing the End of Euro-American Dominance

Quote: "With the structural impact of the US is diminishing... these alternative management systems might have a future." - Dr. Lottaz

My Takeaway: International institutions like the IMF and World Bank, historically dominated by Western nations, face criticism from the Global South for imposing Western-centric economic policies, prompting many nations to seek or establish alternative financial systems.

3. Role of Neutrality in Global Politics

Quote: "With more states that stay out of wars, peace spreads... not by imposing it, but by refusing to engage in conflict." - Dr. Lottaz

My takeaway: Neutral actors that abstain from involvement in foreign disputes play a stabilizing role by refusing to participate. Third-party actors in international conflicts are often the gasoline on a fire.

This interview was jam-packed. I will be having Dr. Pascal Lottaz on again in the future. For the full episode, click here.

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We are two months away from the most important investment conference of the year…

We will return to Vancouver, British Columbia, on January 19 and 20th for the country's most crucial investment conference.

Last year, the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) hosted 9,000 investors, 300 public companies, and over 100 keynote speakers who had flown in from around the world.

What will be discussed at this year's VRIC on January 19th & 20th, 2025?

De-dollarization is Accelerating: As foreign governments shift away from the US dollar, the global currency landscape changes, creating massive ripples across commodity prices.

Geopolitical Relationships Are Being Redefined: As geopolitical tensions reshuffle, the supply chains of critical commodities are under pressure, leading to market volatility and new investment opportunities.

Emerging Markets are about to Boom: The growth in emerging markets will unleash an insatiable appetite for resources.

AI and the Energy Revolution Are Here: Demand for commodities is set to explode as artificial intelligence and new energy solutions reshape industries.

Decade of Underinvestment: For the last ten years, the mining and hard commodities sectors have been starved of capital. The result? a supply crunch that could send prices soaring.

Secure a front seat for the next big wave in the commodities market: Get your ticket to the 2025 VRIC.

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That’s all for today. Have a great week!

Jay