May You Live in Interesting Times
I know--it has been quite awhile. Like many, I've been watching our world and reminded of a Chinese proverb I learned a very long time ago--"May you live in interesting times." A fascinating few words--simple in form, complex in message. As one who hates being bored I first saw this as spelling out exactly what I wanted from my life--may you never be bored. Cool! But as I grew older and watched the world from the safety of my rural perch I realized this could also be a curse.
I've watched wars, assassinations, starvation of children, acts of great terror (even by my country) and, thankfully I've also witnessed incredible acts of great humanity and joy. I do live in interesting times. I graduated from high school in 1968. Yes, I'm a baby boomer, part of the rebellious 60s, and now a member of the aging population. I learned to type on a manual typewriter and am keying this on my marvelous laptop computer mysteriously tied to the internet without wires. I grew up with the marvels of a black and white television hooked to an antenna on the roof and had the incredible choice of 4 channels. Now......cable, satellites, tv on wireless devices. When we were young I helped my brother with his paper route and now it appears newspapers will no longer be printed. Truly interesting times.
I've led an incredible life I realized and need to start putting my memories down even if I'm the only one reading. It is time for me to document the changes I've witnessed and ponder about the changes I've felt. This is not the same world I experienced as a young child in the 1950s but it is still something to marvel at and something fascinating to observe.
The world is currently facing financial crises, particularly here in the USA. We have a new president who seems to have a basic understanding of the situation and given time and cooperation may be able to restart the American economy. But, there may be (and probably should be) massive restructuring of American values. We've become a culture that gives the appearance of valuing money more then people. Someplace along the way we've forgotten how to belong to a community and to share.
I flash back to the lessons presented to me in my development years--better to give then receive; if you have something a friend wants, you share with them; always, always, play fair; if you want to have a friend you have to be a friend. These lessons resonated thoughout my days and my yard was full of friends.
I know the answers to life probably aren't simple slogans and perhaps we really didn't learn everything we needed to know in kindergarten--but--WHAT IF???
May you live in interesting times--and may you take the time to contemplate the times.
I've watched wars, assassinations, starvation of children, acts of great terror (even by my country) and, thankfully I've also witnessed incredible acts of great humanity and joy. I do live in interesting times. I graduated from high school in 1968. Yes, I'm a baby boomer, part of the rebellious 60s, and now a member of the aging population. I learned to type on a manual typewriter and am keying this on my marvelous laptop computer mysteriously tied to the internet without wires. I grew up with the marvels of a black and white television hooked to an antenna on the roof and had the incredible choice of 4 channels. Now......cable, satellites, tv on wireless devices. When we were young I helped my brother with his paper route and now it appears newspapers will no longer be printed. Truly interesting times.
I've led an incredible life I realized and need to start putting my memories down even if I'm the only one reading. It is time for me to document the changes I've witnessed and ponder about the changes I've felt. This is not the same world I experienced as a young child in the 1950s but it is still something to marvel at and something fascinating to observe.
The world is currently facing financial crises, particularly here in the USA. We have a new president who seems to have a basic understanding of the situation and given time and cooperation may be able to restart the American economy. But, there may be (and probably should be) massive restructuring of American values. We've become a culture that gives the appearance of valuing money more then people. Someplace along the way we've forgotten how to belong to a community and to share.
I flash back to the lessons presented to me in my development years--better to give then receive; if you have something a friend wants, you share with them; always, always, play fair; if you want to have a friend you have to be a friend. These lessons resonated thoughout my days and my yard was full of friends.
I know the answers to life probably aren't simple slogans and perhaps we really didn't learn everything we needed to know in kindergarten--but--WHAT IF???
May you live in interesting times--and may you take the time to contemplate the times.
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