Ross: A calming distraction as the stock market tumbles

Back in the day, which is a pretty long time ago, stock market corrections by themselves didn’t matter to middle class Americans, because your savings were in a boring bank account or under a loose floorboard.

Now, everyone’s retirement rides the stock market, so after a week like this we have to seek solace on a business channel like CNBC, which offered this helpful little feature at the end of the evening business report:

“Some amazing images from around the world on this day 16 of the outbreak,” the report said.

Yes, amazing images – of people in hospital masks – not just in hospitals but on street corners, in shops — with menacing movie trailer music!

That did not help. I found myself looking outside to see if the sky was filling with alien space ships.

So if I may suggest a little guided meditation:

You breathe in. Allow the earth’s gravity to receive you.

Then you quietly tell yourself – and I learned this from Jill Schlesinger – this is why we do not put all our money in stocks.

Remind yourself of the stocks you were smart enough not to buy. Like GE. MySpace.

Finally, tell yourself this is how even rich people will feel when there’s a wealth tax.

And then breathe out.

Much better.

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