A Blinding Glimpse of the Obvious

I have been thinking a lot about change lately. In recent years, I have prided myself on select quotations that pointed to enlightenment. In reality, however, it seems the older I get, the more resistant I have become to welcoming or at least examining change. Part of my resistance, even fear, was the belief that the next couple of generations were not up to the task of continuing America’s greatness and our unprecedented way of life. A few weeks ago, at a graduation ceremony, I began to reflect on some of the advice I have given over the years. Specifically, change is essential and that stability and change are connected and mutually enabling, a duality if you will. My resistance to truly embracing that premise was set aside by two young people during recent graduation festivities.

I would like to introduce you to two young adults who were the catalysts in my thinking. I have known them since infancy, but I met them for the first time a few weeks ago. It sounds contradictory, but it is true. Let me explain. I want to take some time on this because, like many Americans, I fear for our country’s survival. I think about that in a cultural, moral, and ideological sense, including faith. I am a firm believer that all that happens to us in our lifetime is the result of the choices we have made, every single thing. For decades, like most of my generation, I have chosen to be pessimistic about handing over leadership to our young adults, or as some would characterize them, Gen Z. That changed during conversations with those two young people in a Blinding Glimpse of the Obvious. Let’s call it a BGO. I was struck with several of them, in fact. All because of the choices I made about attending the graduation ceremony and having several deep conversations with two amazing people.

So here they are. They are brother and sister. One has just finished his freshman year at a prestigious college, studying sports management. He has just been diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. The symptoms are debilitating. Despite this, he has made the Dean’s list with a 3.65 GPA. He is currently working two jobs and helping at home. Through it all, he has exhibited more courage than most men I know who are twice his age. He is outgoing, generous, and confident. His sister, whose high school graduation was celebrated a few weeks ago, is on her way to study architecture at an equally prestigious college. Equally confident and comfortable in conversations, she has an ability to ask the right questions that inspire introspection in others. Her courage is evident in her unabashed commitment to art, spirituality, and her faith.

BGO #1: Our future, as a country, as a culture, and as a people, just might be in good hands. The conversations with both the brother and the sister I introduced you to were in-depth, thoughtful, questioning, and wide-ranging. We talked for several hours about aspirations, politics, national strategy, faith, grades, behavior, and even household decorating. I found the conversations to be invigorating and heartening.

BGO #2: Change is essential. If we continue to do things the way we have always done things, then progress and growth are impossible. Stasis and motion are indeed opposing forces that always appear together. I found a useful definition of stasis in medicine. Stasis describes the stopping of bodily fluids from flowing, usually due to an obstruction. The same idea is seen in life and culture. There must be movement toward progress and growth; otherwise, the product is inactivity and laziness.

BGO #3: Beware of doing things differently just to make a change. Maintain principles, look to an inner compass, look to your faith. In a recent radio talk show, I heard the host explain this simply. If anyone makes a declarative statement and then throws in the word “but”, the second half is the price they are willing to sell that principle. I believe in the rule of law, but …, I’m as religious as the next person, but… You get the idea.

BGO #4: Thank you to the brother and sister who made me think. As I told one of them in a letter, it’s ok to follow your heart, just remember to take your brain along with you. I am glad I found them both. There are more of them out there, and if you look hard enough and with an open mind, you will find them as well.