Lee Pitts tells the wonderful
story of a farmer in the Great Depression who is busily working on his farm in
the summer heat.
His friends gather at the local coffee shop and worry about
him.
Doesn't he know that prices are too low for him to make a profit on his
crop?
Doesn't he know that if he plants a crop he can't get government
subsidies?
It's hot, it's humid, his planting will actually lose him money--has
he gone crazy?
One of the farmers agrees to
go ask him these questions.
It turns out that this hard-working farmer is aware
of all of the many reasons that may justify others not to plant, but he keeps
working.
His friend finally asks him, exasperated, what he is planting. 'Oak
trees,' he says.
You can imagine what his
friend must think: "What? Oak trees? You've gone 'round the bend! Your work
will have no value until at least fifty years have passed!"
The farmer replies
that the oak trees aren't for him.
They are for his grandchildren.
Our purpose in life is to
plant, nurture and become oak trees, and to help others do the same.
That is
grandparenting: planting oak trees!
We are growing the oak trees of the future today.
All of
us should realize our true purpose and mission--to make the world better for our
grandchildren and their children.
This is Leadership Education.
This is what it
really means.
This is true even in the midst of struggle and challenge,
financial depression or world war.
During the most trying times, it is even
more crucial.
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