Yesteryear

The community that I live in has a rich history. It is a town replete with examples of financial success and manufacturing prowess.

That was then. Now is different.

In many ways, there are more successes in the past than can be imagined for the future.

Painted on the sides of buildings downtown are advertisements for goods and services reminiscent of days gone by. It is akin to "graffiti" from the 50's and 60's beckoning consumers to sample their services.

It is interesting to me that the signs remain even though the businesses have long since disappeared.

I have traveled a lot and had opportunity to see this pattern repeated in other communities. It makes me wonder why. Why do signs outlast the businesses they represent?

What does it say about the business that the advertisement outlasted the company?

It makes me wonder. Did the owners invest more in advertising than they did in creating longevity for their businesses?

It is easy to spend time, money and energy investing in the "surface" things of life. It is easy to be distracted by the advertising and promotion and miss the product.

It is easy to say "yes" to things that will not last and miss out on things that will stand the test of time.

What are you doing today that will have a lasting impact through time?

What are you investing in that will weather the assault of our culture?

What are you living for that is worth dying for?

Just a few thoughts that I had while staring at the painted sign on the exterior of a building downtown.