What Comes Next?

The future is a work in progress, something we'll make rather than buy

Ancient Evening by Alphonse Osbert, 1908 (public domain - Wikimedia Commons)

“Fate leads the willing, and draws along those who hang back.” — Cleanthes, c. 250 BC

Willing or not, we’re all part of a new reality. Entire industries have come to a standstill and the economy is under intense stress.

As we continue to hunker down, whether we're calling it self-isolation, social distancing, or quarantining, I’m fascinated by the adoption of new habits.

The question at the back of my mind is whether or not we’ll be able to sustain these habits once the intensity of the crisis has passed. After all, it’s human nature to return to the familiar and comfortable.

There’s nothing like a crisis to focus our attention and to discern true leaders.

Seneca, in “On the Shortness of Life,” reminded us:

“Life is divided into three periods: past…