I miss summer.
I know. It’s still summer, but it doesn’t feel like summer…
I miss baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet!
(Although in all transparency, I can’t tell you the last time I’ve eaten a hot dog, and I’ve long loved my Honda Pilot…)
2020 has been an odd year. Summer has been totally different. The best laid plans… well, let’s just say, we’re not totally in control. It’s made me wonder what years and seasons past generations have labeled “odd”… World War I, World War II, the depression…
I think that’s one of the challenges of our current day scenario. Sometimes we look at other generations and simply judge them. Let’s be honest; it’s easy to do…
Those who’ve gone before us were so naive; they didn’t do anything!
The younger generation is out of control!!
And millennials… don’t get me started!
And just like that, from each of our nothing-but-limited perspectives, we judge them. We focus on what’s wrong with others. We negate the value of critical thinking and varied experience, and then we omit the necessary discernment vital to evaluating every season and stage.
I loved reading former ESPN college play-by-play announcer, Chuck Underwood’s The Generation Imperative a year ago. In his insightful work, Underwood dives into the formative years of each generation and “the core values that were molded from the unique times and teachings that each generation absorbed in their youth, their adulthood passages, current lifestage, and, future.” It’s not that one generation is wiser than another. Each has its strengths. And each has its blind spots.
One generation shapes another — albeit often in ways unintentionally so. We, also, if willing and humble enough, have opportunity to learn from another age group — older and younger. To simply be critical — praising one generation but denigrating another — omits significant, available wisdom and discernment.
And so yesterday, on a day that didn’t feel like summer nor a typical Independence Day — even with the aerial pomp and circumstance — I found myself pondering much…
… thankful… for all the generations that have been key to current day… for those whose conviction has been evident in their behavior… some via current peaceful protest… others via former military conflict, willing to put their life on the line… We learn from each.
… grateful… even in trying times— for the liberty this country affords like no other… Let me be very clear: American liberty is unprecedented. There’s a reason the tired and poor come here. There’s a reason this is where the huddled masses yearn to breathe free. Are we perfect? Of course not. Can we always improve? Of course so. But let us never tire of our declaration of independence. We are a people that for 244 years have professed that each of us — no matter color or creed — are endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable Rights. We haven’t always embraced those rights for all people. We still don’t. And that’s not just about race. We can do better in honoring all lives.
… and questioning… Indeed, I still have questions… sincerely, of course…
What’s the difference between the indisputable fact that black lives matter and the political movement? I can’t tell how pure and democratic all aspects of the political movement are.
- What’s the difference between the indisputable fact that black lives matter and the political movement? I can’t tell how pure and democratic all aspects of the political movement are.
- How is social media impeding dialogue?
- Can we — should we — mandate the mask?
- How are different generations responding? Can we learn from — and respect — them all?
- What am I missing?
How is social media impeding dialogue?
Can we — should we — mandate the mask?
How are different generations responding? Can we learn from — and respect — them all?
What am I missing?
Just pondering, friends, on a restful but unusual Fourth. May we listen well and be a blessing to one another.
Respectfully…
AR