Fallen Loves

Today is Memorial Day. A day set aside for all of us to recall the personal sacrifice of life and limb of young people fighting for their country in battles all over the globe. Fighting for freedom and justice and future hopes for the rest of mankind. Yes, they believed this and fought for it and died. Or came home severely crippled and damaged.

They gave their all so we may hope and live in freedom to be ourselves. They cannot do this now; but we can. That’s why we remember them on Memorial Day each May.

And they were lovers of others, and loved by many others. They are our national loves lost in the struggle to remain uniquely American. That is a very important subtext I wish my readers to ponder.

They gave their futures so that we would have our futures. What are you doing about that? What have you done with that opportunity? Have you made the most of it? And what about the rest of you? How will you use this opportunity to be the best you can be? And earn and experience the rewards from same?

Futures are funny things. We say we prepare for them but we actually do very little of that. We get an education that hopefully prepares us for the future, but how can we know that from the perspective of today? What will the future hold? Will we recognize it as it is happening? Will we then prepare better at that point? Are we willing now to make that investment in ourselves? And later in life, will we be as willing and empowered to make a fresh investment in ourselves?

Education is actually a process that should be teaching students about themselves and their own identity. It should teach how to adapt to changing circumstances. It should teach how to learn so we can do much of this change business ourselves as it happens, not after when so many chips have been lost.

Yes, folks. We are responsible for our own education and life planning. No one else can do it for us. Others can help us, teach us, guide and mentor us; but only you and I can do this for ourselves. You know this fact of life. So do I. I mention it only because most of us don’t really live as though we understand this basic fact of life. I know you know this is true.

So what do we do about that?

I think there are several things we can do.

First, get the best and most education you can afford.

Second, invest time and concentration in keeping that education current throughout your life. Read and study important writers and speakers on matters that matter. Enroll in an occasional class in your trade association, community college or alma mater college or university. Feed the mind and the career and life plan will take care of itself; maybe.

Third, invest time and concentration in reading about current issues that may be hallmarks of changes pending. Our cars are more automated now than ever before. Talk is rampant about self-driving cars. Will this happen in our lifetime? Will it affect how we earn our living? How we drive? Will we buy a self-driving car? Or will we rent one, or time-share one? Now rethink how this change might affect the economy and thus your job and career!

Fourth, help education institutions keep up with these issues and challenges. Be prepared to fund them through our tax system for these good ends. Also prompt employers to prepare for career change among their own staff and labor pool. Perhaps they will train the next generation of employees?

Fifth, be involved with your community’s life. This is where your friends, family and neighbors are living lives similar to your own. What affects you affects them and vice versa. So speak up and engage in life’s process of change and adaptation. It is not all bad.

No; it is not all bad. This will provide excitement and intellectual challenge that will reward you for the remainder of your life. Such a good reward for doing the right thing in the first place.

Now wouldn’t our fighting men and women who didn’t return home be proud of what we did with their legacy? Think about that and remember them today.

May 29, 2017