“On an overcast day, I look out of the window from my office and see gray clouds slowly meandering overhead. There was a time when the rain and cloud cover weighed heavily on my emotions as if they were gloom in its natural form, crying and raging with thunderous outbursts. But now those rainclouds appear differently to me, more like a soft, temperate, protective cover that makes me want to curl up with a book and relax. Funny how our outlook changes over time.

If it seems like circumstances will always be as they are, it is an illusion. As sure as the weather and nature and aging, you can count on life changing both you and your situation. How awful stagnancy would be if this were not true.”