Advice from a Gray Beard

I woke up really early - sitting here I had a few thoughts I wanted to share.

1.   You can't go back to your younger years, but you can display those values in your everyday interactions. My father was 50 when I was born - he went through the Great Depression and was in the Army in World War II - that great generation was awesome and it was great to be raised by someone like that. I see that in myself every day.

2. At some point, you will be a greybeard or elder in your profession. Share your knowledge with those who are still coming up in the profession. That knowledge is so valuable.

3. Our vices can define us. At my age, I have too many vices, yet they are part of what defines me. I smoke too many cigars and love some good liquors, especially bourbon. I also love the smell of a nice pipe and occasionally smoke a pipe. It is often these small pleasures that keep us going. I have realized that these small vices define us – my daughter will likely treasure my cigar tools, after-shaves and old leather bags when I die. 

4. One of my greatest pleasures is in helping others. When I was younger, I spent all my time trying to make sure my family was taken care of. Today, I have the luxury of taking time helping others through teaching, volunteering, and championing certain causes. US Veterans are a great cause I try to pursue.

5. Life isn't defined by what you are doing. Life is defined by how you affect others. There was a point where I was just trying to make a splash for myself. But today, I realize that I have a voice that is seen globally. So I have a responsibility to post responsibly, to post content in a way that helps others. Ironically, I get requests to be a keynote speaker and further my own image. The problem is that I don’t really care about furthering my image. 

Ultimately, I just want to smoke my cigars, sip a nice liquor, and work to give back to those who are working to make this profession better, to bring in their own unique perspectives, to continue to be the sheepdogs we need to protect our organizations. 

We must realize that we’re in a very stressful profession. Burnout is real. Taking off Friday is not enough. It takes at least 4 days to start relieving the effects of burnout. Spend time with your family. Spend time in nature. Just rest – unplug – find your baseline. That baseline is you minus all the things you are trying to do or are working towards in your job.

Find peace – peace is found in the absence of the wanting mind. Peace is found when we aren’t surrounded by expectations. Accepting what is, right now, is peace. Of course, there are things that are needed, but we don’t need to worry about them right now. Just rest. Rest on your accomplishments. You don’t need anything at all, right now. That is peace. Find that peace, even if it is for just a few moments. 

In my old age, I try to find that peace. I know my organization has done what it must in terms of cybersecurity, and my job is to ensure we are continuing to improve and address future concerns. I also try to teach – to mentor. I hope to help others to take over this critical profession. I try to mentor veterans and former law enforcement, who are all sheepdogs in a different way.

I sit here with my favorite cigar and a sip of a good beverage. My wife and daughter love it when I wear Bay Rum after-shave. Sometimes I feel like I am manifesting my father, which isn’t a bad thing. 

Do what is right. Make sure your life is geared toward doing what is right. Be professional. Share your insight. Share your professionalism. Share your values. We must share this to the next generation, or it will be lost. Integrity is your value. No matter what your political views, if you have integrity, you will always do what is right.