The Generation Gap
“The human race, to which so many of my readers belong, has been playing at children’s games from the beginning, and will probably do it till the end, which is a nuisance for the few people who grow up. And one of the games to which it is most attached is called, “Keep to-morrow dark,” and which is also named (by the rustics in Shropshire, I have no doubt) “Cheat the Prophet.” The players listen very carefully and respectfully to all that the clever men have to say about what is to happen in the next generation. The players then wait until all the clever men are dead, and bury them nicely. They then go and do something else. That is all. For a race of simple tastes, however, it is great fun.” – G.K. Chesteron
I try my best to keep up on the current literature and press. Beyond the typical news stories of chaos and political discontent, there is a series of other less obvious but more interesting stories that fill the pages.
This past month Time magazine released a series of articles about my generation. In all fairness to the magazine, I haven’t actually read the article, but the reviews and responses that have since surfaced seem to indicate that it wasn’t very good.
By “good”, I mean accurate – as in an accurate picture of my generation. Yes, this generation that doesn’t seem to want to get (or keep) jobs. The generation that is obsessed with a digital alternate reality and that feels overly entitled to virtually everything they are denied.
Now I could fill pages arguing that although there is a certain subset of my generation that fits precisely into these categories, the bulk of people I know want to work hard. I could also complain about the state of the economy and point at my parents’ generation and their unwillingness to deal with the economic elephant that has been stinking up the room for decades.
Yet I don’t think either of these solutions is the best. Rather than complain and bicker endlessly over who shares the most fault, I think it is much more appropriate to encourage each group of people to own up to our own failures and prepare to move forward. So without further ado, here we go:
Baby Boomers:
- The world isn’t what it used to be. Jobs aren’t as common as they once were. Today a person may skip companies every six months. Others may run several small businesses at once. Don’t judge us because we don’t work the 9-5 job. Instead, try to look at the unique opportunities we have, and use your wisdom to help us take advantage of them.
- Own up to the broken economy you helped create. You mortgaged our futures, so the best you can do is help us get the national debt under control.
- Be mentors. Instead of throwing rocks at those younger than you, get involved! Find young people and mentor them. Whether in business, family, life, or spirituality, share your wisdom.
- Don’t retire. And I don’t mean from your job. If you can afford to retire, do it! I’m talking about life. So many retirees just end their jobs and lock themselves in casinos or drive around the country in RVs. You may not have to work, but your job isn’t done. You still have a role to play, so get back in the game. Make a difference.
Millennials:
- It isn’t all about you. The world doesn’t revolve around you, so don’t get mad when things don’t go your way. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep moving. Care for those older than you and mentor those younger than you.
- Don’t lose your spirit of adventure. It’s been said the the love of comfort is the enemy of greatness. Don’t ever get comfortable. Live dangerously. Oh, and making a difference doesn’t necessarily mean you work for a non-profit.
- Don’t expect to retire. I don’t mean you can’t retire. But let’s be honest, 50 years is a long time….a lot can change. It’s not just about the money though. Do you really want to do something you hate your whole life then spend your waning days finally doing what you actually wanted to do? I don’t think so. Live now, but plan for later.
- Pursue liberty and justice. Either one of these by itself can be dangerous, but together they make up the fabric of what we all desire. So make your life about pursuing one or both of these.
It isn’t about pointing fingers. It’s about helping others succeed. Until we actually realize that we both can help fix the problems we’re facing, we’re never going to get anywhere.