Youth--and Uncertainties and Decisions

Decisions are difficult for everyone⎯and perhaps especially for those who are pursuing or finishing their period of preparation: where to work, when to marry, how long to prepare, what commitments to make⎯decisions that affect the whole length of life, and that must be made despite the difficulties of settling down in unsettled situations.

As to all of these uncertainties and decisions, we would quote a short and sound sentence: “Fortune favors the best prepared people.”

There have always been uncertainties and there have always been decisions, and despite tensions and troubles and uncertain situations, there have never been more opportunities; there has never been more need for well-prepared people, or, that we are aware of, more appreciation or compensation for well-prepared people. And the passing uncertainties should not lead to short-sighted decisions or to cutting short the fullest possible preparation for fullest usefulness for the future.

Of course, the long broad look at life requires faith⎯and willingness to study, to work, and to wait⎯faith in the future.

And why not have faith in the future? Suppose a generation of ten or twenty or thirty years ago had failed to have faith, suppose that their uncertainties had kept them from preparing? Where would we turn today for prepared people? And what would now be their regrets for not preparing?

The late Charles F. Kettering said: “I object to people running down the future. I’m going to live all the rest of my life there.”

The future, young man, young woman, is where you are going to live the rest of your life. Have faith. Accept the uncertainties; don’t brood about them. Avoid impatience, procrastination, enslaving habits, and time-wasting. Avoid debt as far as possible. Seek counsel. Have courage. Build solid foundations. Live with cleanliness and honor and high qualities of character. Accept the opportunities and obligations as they come. Be willing to work, to wait, to take responsibility.

Despite all uncertainties and unforeseen situations, the future will be better for the better prepared people. The future will be better for those who have the faith to finish, the faith to follow through.