Estimated reading time: 4 minutes, 52 seconds
Good seasons can make us forget how quickly things can change.
Enjoy the sunshine, but don’t assume it will stay forever.
Wisdom is celebrating the moment while staying aware that life moves in seasons.
Here’s today’s Wisdom Made Easy illustration:
There was once a young turkey born on a cold winter morning, but he never felt the chill. His coop was warm, his belly was full, and every day was spent playing with his friends.
As spring arrived, the turkeys roamed the farmyard together - always fed, always sheltered and always cared for.
Visitors came by from time to time to clean the coop, refill the corn, and secure the fences. “Gosh, we’re lucky,” the turkey often said. “Life is good, and everything we need is always taken care of.”
Summer passed peacefully. As the days grew shorter and colder, the farmer turned on the heat inside the coop. The turkeys spent more time indoors, feasting, resting, and growing plump.
“How fortunate we are,” the turkey repeated. And everyone agreed: winter would be a time to rest up for the fun they’d have in spring.
And then… Thanksgiving arrived.
This metaphor comes courtesy of award-winning essayist Nassim Nicholas Taleband his book The Black Swan.
Let’s unpack today’s saying:
There is nothing permanent except change.
Heraclitus reminds us that life is always in motion - seasons shift, circumstances evolve, and change is inevitable.
Instead of resisting change or assuming the future will mirror the past, wisdom invites us to stay adaptable, grateful, and ready for whatever comes next.
The parable of the turkey is a gentle reminder about the illusion of certainty.
When life has been good for a long time, our brains start telling us:
This is how life is. This is how life will always be.
But that’s not how the world works.
Life has seasons. Economies shift. Relationships evolve. Health changes. Opportunities rise and fade.
This isn’t meant to scare us - it’s meant to wake us up.
The goal is not to live anxiously waiting for disaster…
but to live wisely by recognising that the future is not a copy-paste of the past.
Here are 3 ways to stay grounded when things are going well:
Practice gratitude without attachment.
Enjoy good moments deeply - but don’t cling to them as if they’re permanent.
Gratitude sharpens joy; attachment dulls it.
Prepare during the calm.
When life is stable, build resilience - savings, skills, boundaries, routines.
Preparation doesn’t spoil the present; it strengthens it.
Stay flexible in your expectations.
Expecting life to always stay the same sets you up for shock.
Staying adaptable helps you move with changing seasons instead of being blindsided by them.
Great seasons deserve to be celebrated - just don’t let comfort convince you they’re invincible.
Let’s dive deeper into today’s wisdom with these 3 journal prompts:
Where have I assumed the future will look exactly like the past?
What good things in my life am I enjoying right now and how can I appreciate them more intentionally?
What small step could I take this week to prepare for whatever season comes next?
Today’s resource is a bit different.
Usually I like to share a resource that builds upon the wisdom of the entire newsletter.
Instead, this video encourages you to reflect on Black Friday and your purchasing habits this weekend.
Check out documentary-maker Matt D’Avella’s video about The Truth about Black Friday here:
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Catch you in the next issue!
Thanks,
Michael