How many of us would take advice from an 18 year old? There are many sharp-thinking, gifted young adults in our society who have a grasp on different subjects. Most could give valuable advice to an older adult, if that advice was based on expertise or an educated understanding of the subject.
But who of us would ask an18 year old questions that the 18 year old would not understand nor have the answer… and THEN do exactly what that 18 year old had answered!
For example. How old is old? Do “old” people know anything?
What should I do with my life? (This is ME asking that question of the 18 year old.)
What should I expect or look for in a future mate? Are values important?
Which profession should I pursue?
Do I want to live in my home town when I get settled?
Which is more important in choosing a career…money? Or job satisfaction?
What’s wrong with living on the beach, surfing, doing nothing. Isn’t that cool?
Is going to a technical school, learning to be a good carpenter or plumber, an electrician, or a barber as “cool” as going to college?
These are relevant questions. Because, you see, we all came up with our own answers to these and many more questions when WE were 18! And we did decide at that time, ( in our “limited” knowledge of how things work) how we perceived most issues in our lives.
We also made judgments. And those judgments that we visualized at 18 have stayed with us most of our lives. We made life decisions about our future based on our very LIMITED view of life at that point.
“Like what?” you say?
O.K. Here goes. I interviewed several “early to late 30’s” types in Larned and this is what I heard.
“When I was that age (18), I thought that I was unique, which could be true or not…but I thought that “life opportunities” would come to me…that I didn’t need to go “get” what I wanted to be…but that it would just happen. I thought college or training for some career was not necessary! I thought it would just work out!”
“I based many of my decisions on my emotions!
“I thought being “in lust” was being ‘in love’. I believed that the movies portrayal of “love” was how it was.”
“ I remember thinking somehow…or not thinking much…that I was the center of the universe. I thought of no one’s but my own concerns. But now I am always thinking about how my actions or comments might be perceived or might affect someone else!”
“ I definitely decided I hated exercise. It got burned in my mind, and now, to exercise is a battle.”
“My parents continually told me to not put people out or to make anyone have to fuss over me. I am still hesitant to state what I truly feel or ask favors because I fear inconveniencing someone!”
We probably should face these embedded ideas ..(decisions that have influenced our life and might or might not be valid) and decide when some of our perceptions were birthed.
Send me stories of YOUR experiences that relate to this topic? Bluegrasses@gmail.com
But who of us would ask an18 year old questions that the 18 year old would not understand nor have the answer… and THEN do exactly what that 18 year old had answered!
For example. How old is old? Do “old” people know anything?
What should I do with my life? (This is ME asking that question of the 18 year old.)
What should I expect or look for in a future mate? Are values important?
Which profession should I pursue?
Do I want to live in my home town when I get settled?
Which is more important in choosing a career…money? Or job satisfaction?
What’s wrong with living on the beach, surfing, doing nothing. Isn’t that cool?
Is going to a technical school, learning to be a good carpenter or plumber, an electrician, or a barber as “cool” as going to college?
These are relevant questions. Because, you see, we all came up with our own answers to these and many more questions when WE were 18! And we did decide at that time, ( in our “limited” knowledge of how things work) how we perceived most issues in our lives.
We also made judgments. And those judgments that we visualized at 18 have stayed with us most of our lives. We made life decisions about our future based on our very LIMITED view of life at that point.
“Like what?” you say?
O.K. Here goes. I interviewed several “early to late 30’s” types in Larned and this is what I heard.
“When I was that age (18), I thought that I was unique, which could be true or not…but I thought that “life opportunities” would come to me…that I didn’t need to go “get” what I wanted to be…but that it would just happen. I thought college or training for some career was not necessary! I thought it would just work out!”
“I based many of my decisions on my emotions!
“I thought being “in lust” was being ‘in love’. I believed that the movies portrayal of “love” was how it was.”
“ I remember thinking somehow…or not thinking much…that I was the center of the universe. I thought of no one’s but my own concerns. But now I am always thinking about how my actions or comments might be perceived or might affect someone else!”
“ I definitely decided I hated exercise. It got burned in my mind, and now, to exercise is a battle.”
“My parents continually told me to not put people out or to make anyone have to fuss over me. I am still hesitant to state what I truly feel or ask favors because I fear inconveniencing someone!”
We probably should face these embedded ideas ..(decisions that have influenced our life and might or might not be valid) and decide when some of our perceptions were birthed.
Send me stories of YOUR experiences that relate to this topic? Bluegrasses@gmail.com
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