Friday; November 4

The older I get the more I realize that what was old is new again – and this is never truer than in fashion. I have seen trends come and go … and come back again. It’s kind of funny to find myself shaking my head at the way the “cool kids” are dressing and then realize I had the same outfit when I was a teenager. Even the “mullet” is making a comeback! About the only thing I haven’t seen return is the leisure suit. Maybe there is a reason for that.

Interestingly, fashion is not the only thing that is recycled. Political trends and even religious philosophies seem to ebb and flow with time. We shift from conservative to progressive and from inclusion to exclusivity from generation to generation. It seems like we laud the new ideas only to realize that we have been here before. If it weren’t so important for our development it would be funny to watch people discover new ideals only to realize that Solomon was right, “That which has been is that which will be, And that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

As I thought about this, I was drawn to a quote by Thomas Jefferson, “In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.”. As we make our way through life, let’s make sure we understand the difference between going with the flow of social trends and standing firm in our commitment to the principles upon which we build ourselves and our nation. One will make us appear hip, the other will ensure our happiness.

Think About It!

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