I had a big troupe, a big army and it was a lot of fun. And

In the words of Bobby Vinton, singer of ballads and master of melody, we find not only nostalgia but also wisdom: “I had a big troupe, a big army and it was a lot of fun. And, after 10 years of that, I just decided that I wanted to travel and do special dates. I go to Las Vegas these days.” Though spoken with lightness, these words echo the ancient rhythm of life—the rise of greatness, the enjoyment of its fullness, and the eventual choice to set aside ceaseless striving for a simpler, more deliberate path.

The image of a great troupe or army calls to mind the pageantry of a life once lived on the grandest scale. For a musician, an entourage of performers and crew is like a legion marching to conquer stages. It is the army of art, where music becomes the weapon and joy the victory. Vinton recalls this season of abundance with fondness, remembering the energy, the companionship, and the triumph of performing with power. It is the joy of youth and ambition, when the road ahead is endless and the spirit burns to create and conquer.

Yet after ten years, a new desire arose—the desire to travel not endlessly in conquest, but with intention. This is a common turning point in life. The warrior, having fought many battles, longs for peace. The sailor, after years upon stormy seas, dreams of calmer harbors. Vinton’s choice to leave behind the endless marching of his musical “army” in favor of select, special dates reflects this truth: that there is a time for glory in the crowd and a time for intimacy in chosen moments.

His mention of Las Vegas is not accidental. The city, glowing with lights in the desert, is both a stage and a sanctuary for performers who wish to continue their craft without the exhaustion of constant touring. In the ancient world, one might compare it to Rome itself—where gladiators, poets, and musicians all came to display their gifts before vast audiences. To remain in such a place is to embrace stability without abandoning the art, to still share music and joy, but on one’s own terms.

History gives us countless examples of this cycle. Consider the Roman general Cincinnatus, who led armies with honor, then willingly returned to his farm to live in peace. Or the great Diocletian, emperor of Rome, who after ruling the world’s largest empire retired to tend his gardens. Both reveal the same wisdom: that true greatness is not only in conquering but in knowing when to step aside, to choose rest and balance over endless striving. Vinton’s shift from army to select engagements is a modern reflection of this timeless rhythm.

The lesson in these words is simple yet profound: life moves in seasons, and wisdom lies in knowing when to change with them. There is a time for building armies, for chasing greatness, for filling the halls with sound and spectacle. But there is also a time for narrowing the path, for seeking joy in chosen places and moments, for savoring the gift without exhausting oneself in pursuit of more.

So I say to you: embrace each season as it comes. When the time is for building, build with all your strength. When the time is for traveling widely, let your spirit soar. But when the time arrives to slow your steps, to choose special dates over endless labor, do not resist it. For peace and purpose are not lesser than glory; they are its fulfillment. Like Bobby Vinton, may you learn not only to lead your “army” with joy, but also to lay it down when the season shifts, and to find contentment in the stage of life where you now stand.