In the words of William Shakespeare, there is nothing either or good or bad but thinking makes it so. The same holds true for investing in equities. While for some, equity-investment is like the touch-me-not flower; for others, it is a way of life, a second genuine source of income, and an alternative path to wealth creation. I write this especially for beginners and small investors, with the latter objectives in mind. With years of experience, I believe that playing with the stock market is only for the conscious and daring; people who have adequate sportsmanship abilities and enough time to devote to the same. Otherwise, for the sensitive and weak-hearted, it is like playing with fire, for a casual approach to the market seldom pays. Someone who can really enjoy and survive in it, with all its ups, downs, and resulting impacts may end up being the man of the ring! Therefore, one may safely expect returns better than investing in a fixed deposit in a bank.