Yesterday was another big down day in the markets. Should we be worried? It's OK to worry a little; but if with a sound financial strategy backing you up the market's recent pullback shouldn't concern you too much.

A long time ago, when I was a lot younger, I remember reading that the long term chart of the stock market always looks like the path traced by a man playing with a yo-yo as he climbs a flight of stairs. If you look at the chart of the last 5 years prices of SPY, the S&P500 Depository Receipts Exchange Traded Fund, you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

This sort of up and down, while maintaining an ever upward path overall, was as true 20+ years ago as it is today. It is exactly the dynamic at work in the markets today.

Personally, I'm not too concerned about it. If the markets keep declining for a while I might consider shifting some funds over from cash and bonds into stocks. That's especially true if declines continue through rebalancing time.

Otherwise, I'll just be sitting tight, waiting for the old man's yo-yo to start accelerating up the string as he takes yet another step up that never-ending flight of stairs.