For everything there is a season.

…the Belgae are the bravest, because they are furthest from the civilization and refinement of [our] Province, and merchants least frequently resort to them, and import those things which tend to effeminate the mind…

Julius Ceaser, The Gallic Wars

Resilience is a quality that can only be obtained through struggle; it is a psychological callous that hardens over time. You cannot buy or fake it; it can only be cultivated through pain. The seeds of resilience are most effective when planted in youth giving them time to take root, growing stronger with each passing year.

However, resilience is not a mere consequence of time; it is born from the crucible of misery and suffering. It acts as an immunity, a defense mechanism against the harshness of the world. Like any immunity, it is the result of exposure. Pain and suffering, as unwelcome as they may be, play a pivotal role in building the strength, endurance, and stability that characterize a resilient individual.

Peace has cost you your strength! Victory has defeated you!

- Bane, The Dark Knight Rises

Without exposure to the harshness of life, we grow soft. We become habituated to luxury; we eat what we want, sleep when we want, buy what we want, and life becomes a buffet of pleasure. This sea of decadence is condition of total victory. Unlike an existential enemy that is open in intention and method. Victory is a creeping cancer, an acid gradually rotting the tissue of a people until necrotic decadence reduces the flesh to bone.

The perils of victory and the accompanying luxury have been understood since humanity's earliest encounters with abundance. Civilizations have attempted to mitigate the effect of rot that comes with sustained success. Famously, the Mongols tried to rewild their progeny. They noticed that over time conquest left their sons weak. Growing up away from the steppe, living in the comfort of palaces and cities, they forgot who they were.

This process of rewilding involved sending their sons to be raised on the steppe, exposing them to the untamed and unpredictable aspects of nature, and fostering a deep connection with the land and its challenges. The young Mongols would learn essential survival skills, navigate vast landscapes, and develop a profound understanding of the environment. This rewilding not only honed their physical capabilities but also nurtured a resilient mindset, preparing them for the unpredictable journey of life on the steppes.

Yet, despite their valiant attempts, no amount of arbitrary hardship could replace the authenticity of genuine struggle. At the end of the day, the soft life of the palace remained a possibility. Spending a few years on the steppe, with the option of returning "home" in the face of failure, didn't entail life or death; it was a choice within the realm of comfort.

This unavoidable softening of victory poses a significant challenge when attempting to reclaim a nation. The contemporary generations, encompassing Gen-X, Millennials, and Zoomers, lack the resilience required for the arduous task of rebuilding a broken nation. The looming hard times are inevitable, and there is no shortcut around them. However, these challenges hold the potential to cultivate a new generation. The seeds of resilience will be sown not through deliberate actions but by the harsh hands of life.

“A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit.” — Greek Proverb

In recent years, my mantra has been, “It’s time to plant trees.” This philosophy stems from the realization that we are not individuals destined for personal greatness; rather, we are gardeners, farmers, and cultivators of societal resilience. Our duty extends beyond personal pursuits; we must prepare the youth for the challenges ahead. Planting trees under whose shade we may never rest becomes a metaphor for the selfless act of laying the groundwork for future generations.

Consider the image of a gardener meticulously tending to the soil, planting seeds, and nurturing saplings. The gardener knows that the fruits of their labor may not manifest immediately, and they may never sit under the mature trees they have planted. Yet, their dedication lies in the understanding that the cultivation of a thriving, resilient environment is a gift to the future.

The act of planting trees becomes symbolic not only of physical cultivation but also of instilling values, imparting wisdom, and fostering a sense of responsibility in the younger generations. It is a multi-faceted effort that involves education, mentorship, and community-building. Just as a tree's roots provide stability, the values and lessons instilled in the youth become the foundation upon which a resilient society can stand.

For many of us, it is time to let go of the delusion of grandeur and understand that our time and our place is now, that we are stewards.

It’s time to plant trees.

-TJS