Where Does It Say This is Easy?
I watch people. We all do. But I watch people and think, how are they coping with all of THIS? There is so much happening, so fast. And its not slowing down any time soon as far as I can see or the man on the TV can see. And for me, its overwhelming. Lots of things seem overwhelming. Is that a being 50 thing? Or is it getting crazy out there?
So, the thing of it is, I worry about the kids. I watch them work so hard in school. And they seem to hate it. Its a means to an end for them. And I see less and less of them going on to college. I guess I should back up a bit. Really, the kids I am thinking about are my own. Not that for one minute, are they anyone's but their own persons. And that's the thing. They are strong individualists faced with a society in flux. The generation of Eisenhower acheivers gave way to the years I grew up in- the freedom years. Those were years where a strong middle class enabled a whole generation of white kids to do just about anything they set their minds to. Now we're all in our 50's and 60's wondering if all that do what you want philosophy will pay for retirement.
And our kids- they were told by me they can do anything, just pick something- and they don't see it that way. College costs are out of this world. Working in manufacturing or production is no longer viable in our area. The middle class is dwindling. And that's just talking about the broadest topics.
Then there is the threat of disaster from the Middle East or from the pollution. Take your pick. The climate is changing. Television is becoming the authority. I admit it. I get my news from The Daily Show. My kids have grown up post 9/11. I can't begin to know what that means for them, looking into the future, and my guess is, they don't know either. Except they just want to live. Not worry about the 40 hour work week. Why should they? It might all be over tomorrow. See what I'm driving at?
And I don't know what to tell them. There is no handbook for this.
And so I watch people and wonder how are they doing with the take out food dinners and the lists of TO DOs longer than hours in each day. And then I see my kids react in a way that makes me crazy. They have slowed down. They hang out. Read books. Listen to music. Do a couple of things to keep the momentum til tomorrow. I can't do that. I have to clean clean clean. Keep up the garden. Go to the dentist. Cook. Make beds. Pay bills. Re re re recycle. All this listing makes me realize I don't have time for this now. This blog is another thing on the list. Oh it makes me weary. So, let me be like my kids and do what I want, when I want. Be creative. Look around and see what's out there. And forget about the lists!
So, the thing of it is, I worry about the kids. I watch them work so hard in school. And they seem to hate it. Its a means to an end for them. And I see less and less of them going on to college. I guess I should back up a bit. Really, the kids I am thinking about are my own. Not that for one minute, are they anyone's but their own persons. And that's the thing. They are strong individualists faced with a society in flux. The generation of Eisenhower acheivers gave way to the years I grew up in- the freedom years. Those were years where a strong middle class enabled a whole generation of white kids to do just about anything they set their minds to. Now we're all in our 50's and 60's wondering if all that do what you want philosophy will pay for retirement.
And our kids- they were told by me they can do anything, just pick something- and they don't see it that way. College costs are out of this world. Working in manufacturing or production is no longer viable in our area. The middle class is dwindling. And that's just talking about the broadest topics.
Then there is the threat of disaster from the Middle East or from the pollution. Take your pick. The climate is changing. Television is becoming the authority. I admit it. I get my news from The Daily Show. My kids have grown up post 9/11. I can't begin to know what that means for them, looking into the future, and my guess is, they don't know either. Except they just want to live. Not worry about the 40 hour work week. Why should they? It might all be over tomorrow. See what I'm driving at?
And I don't know what to tell them. There is no handbook for this.
And so I watch people and wonder how are they doing with the take out food dinners and the lists of TO DOs longer than hours in each day. And then I see my kids react in a way that makes me crazy. They have slowed down. They hang out. Read books. Listen to music. Do a couple of things to keep the momentum til tomorrow. I can't do that. I have to clean clean clean. Keep up the garden. Go to the dentist. Cook. Make beds. Pay bills. Re re re recycle. All this listing makes me realize I don't have time for this now. This blog is another thing on the list. Oh it makes me weary. So, let me be like my kids and do what I want, when I want. Be creative. Look around and see what's out there. And forget about the lists!
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