I remember learning that you could tell how old a tree was by the number of rings it had in its cross section because trees get a new ring each year. Then I visited a redwood forest, and learned that that’s not quite right. The sign I was reading said that trees generally get a new ring each year but if there’s not that much temperature difference between the seasons and there’s a warm winter or a cold summer, then the tree might not get a ring. So you don’t earn your stripes simply by hanging around. You have to participate, bear a harsh winter, or build something. No points for just continuing to exist.