Coattails and Bootstraps
Decorating your bootstraps? Or just irritations…
There’s something to be said about being a ‘self-made man’ or woman. And as one saying goes, ‘He’s a self-made man in love with his creator.’
That goes with many people today. They believe if they go to the right schools, the right colleges, get the right job—they’ve made it (and it’s because they did all the right things).
That would be akin to ‘pulling yourself up by your bootstraps.’ To actually pull one’s self up by their own bootstraps would be more like Andrew Carnegie and maybe even Warren Buffet.
Those two, if I remember their history, began life and their careers with very little schooling, no college, and only working themselves up one painful step at a time through the ranks. And of course, when you are in your own boots it is impossible to pick yourself up by those bootstraps.
On the other hand, coattails are entirely different. During the first election of Ronald Reagan, there were several candidates in our state who won their first terms and at least one of them was asked if they believed they had won ‘on Reagan’s coattails.’
That candidate answered he didn’t care one way or the other he was thankful that he had won. And so it goes. In reality, no one ever does it one way or the other. It takes a bit of both to get where we are going.
Persevering in the face of adversity, or in the face of challenges is a must. The saying ‘Into each life some rain will fall’, is a truth. Everyone has good days and not-so-good days.
There is a lesson to be learned in both situations. Carnegie began his career in his pre-teen years as a message boy. Buffet began as an avid entrepreneur, always looking for a way to make a dollar. In both situations, it would be necessary to learn to look around and ask questions.
My mind is playing hide and seek with me…and maybe you.
***
And here it is Monday, but tomorrow it won’t be Monday. Life is funny like that. When writing about ‘today’ it won’t be today tomorrow—or will it? Another funny thing, tomorrow tomorrow will then be today, and today will then be yesterday.
It’s sunny and breezy out there no matter what you call the day. My editor had a bit of a health setback but is on the mend. Things move along so slowly at times but when we look back they were moving along.
Like one slow step at a time, persevering toward the goal I give God the credit for sustaining and guiding me because unlike those who believe they are self-made individuals I know that it is God who blesses and brings things good to fruition.
Matthew 7:
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Proverbs 3:
5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. 7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
