Saturday, September 19, 2009

#323: Rolling with the times

What does the saying ‘a rolling stone gathers no moss’ mean to you?

I grew up in a culture where calling someone a rolling stone was an insult. It meant that the person was incapable of holding down a job for very long.

That was a long, long time ago, when people could easily work for the same company until they retired. Today, the speed at which companies create and destroy jobs mean that you have no option but to be a rolling stone.

Common sayings have different meanings in different cultures and even across different generations. Here in America calling someone a rolling stone is becoming a compliment. It means that you are willing to keep trying different things and different places until you succeed.

Being able to survive as a rolling stone has become a strength, not a flaw. Like the real Rolling Stones, we can have ongoing success, if we keep on rolling with the times.


I’m James McIntosh at nonsenseatwork.com

Listen to the radio version of 'Rolling with the times'
(10 most recent radio files)
James can be heard on Public Radio: Monday - 7:19am and Saturday - 8:19am
88.9 FM WCVE, Richmond VA | 89.1 FM WCNV, Heathsville VA | 90.1 FM WMVE, Chase City VA

Copyright: 2009 James Henry McIntosh
Bookmark and Share
posted by James Henry McIntosh at

1 Comments:

Blogger R.W. Carsia said...

As always James...brief and well stated. Takes me five paragraphs to say what you say in two. However, I'm not on the radio either. Rather be on TV frankly.

September 19, 2009 3:39 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home