SEASONS OF CHANGE AND CHANGES OF SEASON...

Why is it that so many people “live for today” rather than planning for tomorrow – choosing to live in their past accomplishments rather than chasing after dreams of a brighter future?  What comfort can be taken in things that have already been done knowing that closing the door to those things not yet imagined traps us in a world holding no new experiences and having no opportunities to develop or grow?  To move forward in life we must remember that today will never be tomorrow because it inevitably becomes yesterday as time passes.  Unless we plan for a different future and take intentional action to initiate change, each new tomorrow to which we awaken will mirror the past – a reflection of what was rather than what could be in our lives.

Many individuals view work as being their “beginning and their end.”  The daily tasks, responsibilities and accomplishments into which we immerse ourselves can, unless we are very careful, become more important to us than relationships, activities or travel.  Work is somehow predictable and rewarding.  It provides a venue in which we can excel (or at least contribute) and thrive (or, at a minimum, survive) without unexpected or unanticipated roadblocks altering our paths or activities.  Routine can be comforting to many – knowing what to do, what to expect and how to achieve anticipated results can be reassuring to those seeking the satisfaction of being a contributor (rather than an initiator) and accepted (rather than questioned or challenged).  One of life’s greatest travesties, however, is the individual content to accept what is as being all that could be – comfortable in the success and recognition achieved in the past (seeing no reason or having no motivation to accomplish more) – defined by what has been done rather than by who they could become.  These individuals tend to think very little about tomorrow (which, unfortunately, becomes their reality sooner than they ever could have realized or imagined).

People once grew for a season, learned for a season, worked for a season then retired for the final season of their lives.  During the season of growth, children identified their strengths so they could be developed (and their weaknesses so they could be bolstered or avoided).  They sought interests and areas they liked before having to focus upon one or two paths that might ultimately lead them into their season of learning as they prepared for their season of work.  The season of growth was never meant to be lived in – only to be passed through on the road towards the season of learning.

Individuals went to school, work or into the military to hone and develop the skills they identified during their season of growth.  The season of learning allowed people to experiment in a “safe environment” before having to utilize their abilities to earn a living or support a family.  Socialization, the widening and improving of paths discovered as a child and the crystallization of their life objectives came together to help individuals spring from their “today” as they ventured into tomorrow – to build careers, perhaps create a family, and “make their mark on the world.”  Though some might hold onto this season by augmenting their experience with lifelong learning, many built and expanded their castles upon the foundation of learning as they moved into their season of work.

Work, a season starting as a necessary means to accomplish a desired end, is often rooted in ambition and nurtured by competition – a desire to become better than others (rather than a measure of what each individual might be able to contribute and accomplish individually).  The season of work provides security, wealth, growth, sustenance and recognition – allowing individuals to identify areas in which the strengths identified as children and nurtured through learning are able to be applied to give them internal satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.  Some rarely feel they are working in this season as they love what they do and either plan to eventually reach a season of rest OR intentionally seek to avoid ever realizing such a time.  Others have found the season of work to be a “necessary evil” rather than an enjoyable release – constantly seeking (and longing for) an escape from their season of work rather than an elevation into more responsible and rewarding levels.  Some fully utilize their skills to accomplish things never before considered while others perform as they are told and do what needs to be done (rather than what COULD be done).  Regardless of an individual’s perspective, the season of work eventually comes to an end for everyone – the only difference often being how much was accomplished – as we enter the season of rest (either prepared with open arms or “kicking and screaming” with fear and trepidation).

An individual who has successfully “lived for tomorrow” rather than being content with today – has moved from their past by developing their strengths and leveraging them to make a difference in whatever was or has yet to be accomplished – will rarely be bored as they pass through the seasons of life.  An individual who was content with “today” during his or her season of work may find themselves living in yesterday’s world during their season of rest – reminiscing upon what was done and accomplished rather than focusing upon the fulfillment of dreams and future goals.  Our season of rest may become one of expectation – accomplishing the things that were anticipated but never accomplished because work consumed too much time – or one of disenchantment – living for something that was already done while hoping for something that was never considered – it is up to each of us as individuals to determine which season we wish (or accept) to experience. 

“Live for today?”  I think not for today will soon be gone.  We dwell but for a moment within each passing day, welcoming each new tomorrow as they become what was once today (having quietly become yesterday in the night).  Those who enjoy ALL the seasons of life tend to move constantly forward seeking opportunities yet to be realized and possibilities yet to be accomplished while accepting nothing less than what could be possible (rather than what has been proven in the past) regardless of the season in which they live.  Life moves relentlessly forward through each season towards a future that has yet to be fully defined...prepare for it by planning your changes while being ready to change your plans as needed.

EVERYONE IS DOING IT SO IT MUST BE RIGHT...

Have you ever met someone who sets a course in life based on how many others are doing the same thing?  Rather than identifying problems, investigating their root cause and acting to resolve them they tend to take the path of least resistance and “go where others are going” or focus on the “wrongs” of others so their questionable actions seem much more “right.”  While much of the current unrest within our country is rooted in systemic issues that have gone unchecked for years, it is being exacerbated by the underlying “crowd mentality” that tends to sweep up anyone in its path and carry them along because everyone else is doing it so it must be OK.  Be it TOTAL isolation taken to the point of being debilitating because of the COVID-19 issue or potential racial inequity that has boiled up from a very real and specific incident, people tend to move towards what others are doing and it occasionally moves us into uncharted waters when it comes to social interactions.

The travesty in life is that far too many people diminish their potential by following the crowd.  They do what is popular rather than standing strong on their own values, judgments and decisions.  They choose acceptance by the majority rather than the criticism that standing alone often brings.  They accept the stagnation of “what is” as being what always will be rather that seeking the opportunities of “what could be” and moving towards that objective in a constructive and well planned manner.  Their mantra might be “I am no different than anyone else” rather than “I am a unique individual whose potential is limited only by my own actions and behaviors” or “I must be overly cautious to remain safe” rather than “Be safe but practical.”  Too many live their lives based on a presumption of "equality" rather than "equity."  Everyone IS different as each of us have been given different gifts, talents and abilities.  It is up to each individual to leverage those attributes if they wish to fully realize their own potential.

Following the crowd is easy – you do what others accept, go where others are going, act as others act and find a sense of community by blending in.  Only when one recognizes and acknowledges that much can come from seeking a different reality than that chosen by the crowd will he or she begin to realize that loss can become gain, failure can breed success, and the decision to stop can be the impetus to move forward towards new objectives rather than signaling the end of their journeys.  Followers of a crowd tend to accept the group’s vision as a final destination adapting the way the group thinks and acts as the only acceptable way to get there.  Individuals having confidence in themselves envision a future built upon the foundation of their dreams and take practical steps towards the realization of those thoughts and considerations – sometimes accepting they might end up taking one step backwards for every two they move ahead..

Had Fulton listened to “common wisdom” he may never have invented the steam engine.  Would the Wright brothers have launched their dreams to fly like birds had “the crowd” determined the path they should follow?  Is our nation stronger and more stable because our leaders make decisions based on polls that measure what the majority think they should do – taking the more acceptable route rather than seeking potentially unpopular counsel?  Are we better to be TOTALLY sheltered from the COVID-19 virus by staying at home for the past 3 months or might it have been better to be safe by protecting the most vulnerable rather than blanketing the entire population (which potentially has caused a long term financial and economic impact)?  Might we be in a better place if our leaders simply acted to bring the promises made to the people (regardless of their party affiliation, race, sex or other difference) that they “ran on” when elected rather than saying one thing and doing another when in a position to actually do something?  Doing what has always been done OR is being done by the majority is not necessarily the “right” or best way to go.  Consideration should be given to what has been done in the past while looking at the results of those actions in the present but that does not mean what has been done should always be done in the future.

What might YOU be able to accomplish – what potential might you be able to realize – if you “marched to your own drummer” rather than listening to the tunes sung by others?  Make the most of your individuality in whatever you may say or do – for while many people try to be something or someone they are not, there is only one you in the world – do not lose yourself in the identity of a crowd when you can (and will) be so much more by discovering AND being yourself in whatever you choose to say or do.