Planting For The Future

Right now in the middle of August, many farmers have planted seeds despite the fact that it might not rain, it might rain too much or it might be too hot. In August, just when everything is looking good, the big wind might blow and they will lose everything.

When harvest time comes, it might be too wet, and the crops may die in the fields. Who knows what prices will be and don't forget the bugs.

Before trains, trucks and supermarkets, spring was the hungriest season. In winter people still had stores from the harvest, but by springtime the stores had run out. Even though spring might be beautiful, nothing had produced. It was possible to starve amidst the beauty.

Those hungry farmers would look at the seed they saved with ambivalence. They had no choice: They could eat the seed and ease their hunger or plant their seed and go hungry, now.

Of course, if they didn't plant, they would surely starve the next year. So what should they do?

Their dilemma is one each of us faces every day. Kids must ask themselves whether they should study or play. The fruits of study won't be harvested for many years. Play feels good now.

Adults must decide whether to save money to invest in the future or blow it now on something that promises instant gratification. Should you make the next sales call? Write the next sentence in your proposal? Bite off a piece of the large task that will really pay off, or finish a job that makes little difference?

The big question is, “Shall I sacrifice not for a better future, but one which is not guaranteed?

The answer separates the wheat from the chaff. Nobody in the history of the world who consistently answered “no” to this question ever accomplished anything worthwhile.

There are no guarantees. There never were. Ask any farmer. Some seeds never sprout. Some are eaten by birds and bugs. Some harvests are ruined by weather.

Even in the sunny spring, seeds are safer out of the ground. Much safer than when you plant them. It's possible that you can lose them all and go hungry, but keeping seeds safe is not what seeds are for.

As General Douglas MacArthur said, “There is no security in life; there is only opportunity.”