Outlive your season

To everything there is a season. Think about the things that we thought would last forever. Even better, add that to the things that will never really come back to the greatness that they had. Remember Blackberry phones, Myspace, personal websites, American Idol, house flipping, palm pilots, disco, Sarah Palin? One day it will be Facebook and just maybe your point of view.

In our vanity we convince ourselves that we are relevant for more than a moment. By surrounding ourselves with people who tell us what we want to hear, we are convinced that we have a support group that really might not be there. Every kid discovers that after graduating high school. Every leader finds that out with every scandal.

My point? Avoid living a shallow populist life. There is a difference between a mighty oak and a field of corn. There might be a lot more corn but, in a couple of months, only tree is still standing. Without fear it will stand alone.

I like to think that I have been successful by living my life with enough depth, thought and compassion that it has not been necessary to be concerned who agreed with it. Like the mighty oak, my goal is to outlast the changing seasons and live full and effective life of enduring value.