This week I had the privilege of spending some time with one of my very long-term friends who is truly a very good person and tragically, in the late stages of cancer.   While his time may be coming sooner than the rest of us, it was very much a sobering event in my life.  Admittedly, while I am certain I am not the first person to experience this, for me it made for a tough day.

As we were talking, I asked him what he misses in his life right now and he took the moment to share.   He misses driving for himself, he misses the chance to play golf, and then he said he misses his grandchildren.  I paused and asked “But, you get to see your grand kids right now – yes?”  His answer was telling, as he went on to say, “I am going to miss the chance to see them grow up.”   Then he paused, looked at me and said: “I guess what I am really saying in a more nuanced way is that I am going to miss the time I thought I would have.”   We chatted a bit more,  then it was time for me to go and we parted with a few tears and a genuine sense of love shared between us.

The Insight.

As I was thinking about my visit, it seemed that he left me with an important question.   I can live in the past, focus on my future, but how much time do I really spend in the present sharing what I think right now with those I love?

There is a popular Chinese proverb that says: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”  So, I took it to heart and called my family, close friends and told them what they mean to me and that I love them.   After all, what was I waiting for?   I thank my friend for this gift, for he took some of that precious time he had, shared some of his wisdom to make me and the world a better place.

So, I made the leap to how this might apply to my current efforts in working with my customers.

What are you waiting for?  The threats in our world are real and present.  The time to make your personal and corporate security happen is today.   We at Cog Systems have some ideas and would gladly share them with you to help make your connected devices more secure.  We even have some products you can buy today that will bring that added protection that you know you need.

Plant a Tree Today.

In short, plant your tree now by investing to make yourself and your company a more secure environment.

Personal Note.

Oh, and if you will allow, pick up the phone and call that person that means so much to you and tell them directly why they are so valuable and that you love them.   You will never regret it.