Over at the Motley Fool, a question: Is there any silver lining to falling stock prices? Answer, "There sure is."
These words should ring true for anyone investing for the long haul — especially those just starting out. If you've just plunked your first thousand dollars into the stock market and plan to keep adding to it over the next decades, you'll benefit from falling prices in the short term. And, by investing for more than 10 years, you smooth out the risk of owning common stocks.
This counter-intuitive perspective is also important if you're someone who regularly invests in stocks. Since you're buying stock perhaps every few months, you'll be able to get more shares with each payment if the prices are falling. Remember: It's not timing the market that matters, but your time in the market.