A short while back, I had the opportunity to attend the UVA Wise graduation, and I had a unique view. As a UVA Wise Board member, I was on the platform with other Board Members, Speakers, and College leadership. I was literally in the middle of the back row with the aisle in front of me, so I had a full and unhindered view of everyone in the Prior Center.

Given my new and unique view, something jumped out at me – all the graduates’ faces. Some were smiling ear to ear. Others looked sad. Some had troubled looks. Some pensive as the look of a child getting ready to jump into the deep end of a pool. Others looked deep in thought.

These looks made me review in my mind my graduation. What did my “face” look like on my graduation day? I do remember that some of the uncertainty, for me, had been removed as I had a job at Wise County National Bank. But was it what I wanted? After all, I didn’t really know much about banking, and I thought, “Was this where I really wanted to be?” (Hint…it was). Yet that day I was a little scared. The uncertain future lay ahead of me.

For some of my friends, their futures were “chartered,” and they were certain of what they wanted to do. Years later, I learned that these folks’ future was not as chartered as they projected at graduation, as they didn’t go on to med or law school. Their road map was not followed, and life was a bit more chaotic than they planned.

Some of those who had no idea or were frightened out of their minds regarding their future became very successful and are now happy business executives, teachers, or other professionals.

As this year’s graduates moved across the stage, I looked closer to see if the look on their faces had changed. For most, it had not. The future is uncertain for all of us. Some will approach it excitedly. Others cautiously.

Either approach will work if we accept the fact that the future will always bring change and we must learn to persevere, grow, and face the challenges the future brings. It is that way in life as well as in banking.  It’s better to do that with a smile than a frown!

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“Letters From Leton” is a blog series comprised of the weekly updates that Leton Harding – President, Chairman, and CEO of Powell Valley National Bank, shares with the Bank’s team members. These newsletters are full of uplifting anecdotes and intriguing insights that are applicable beyond the Bank, so we want to share them with you.