The more I think about it, as I get further down the road, the more I come to realize how important personal courage and human spirit really are… maybe they’re one in the same.

Surrounded by so much negativity and cynicism, it’s easy to lose your perspective, to think, “why bother?” It seems to to be getting so bad that even those at the top of their game occasionally need to be reminded that they are bigger than they see themselves.

Everyday, though, if we choose to, we can see positive signs that the sky is not falling in. Chicken Little has it wrong. The Barbarians are not at the gates. Everywhere, in every economic and social walk of life, people are out there, bravely facing the challenges, living out their personal destinies, trying to make a living and make a difference, too. It’s what humans do.

Just as an aside, about the Barbarians… if you are a student of history and a lover of poetry there’s a famous, modern day Greek, C.P. Cavafy. Born to Greek parents in Alexandria, his works are revered by his countrymen everywhere. His works can give many of the ancients a run for their money. Read Waiting for the Barbarians. Try to suppress that tiny, wry smile. You’ll know what I mean…