Friday, March 14, 2008

A little bit of recognition, thanks.

Here’s a little story I received via e-mail. I have no idea if it is true or not but kinda hope it was. You will soon see why:
“A very self-important college freshman attending a recent football game, took it upon himself to explain to a senior citizen sitting next to him why it was impossible for the older generation to understand his generation.
"You grew up in a different world, actually an almost primitive one," the student said, loud enough for many of those nearby to hear. "The young people of today grew up with television, jet planes, space travel, man walking on the moon, our spaceships have visited Mars. We have nuclear energy, electric and hydrogen cars, computers with DSL, bsp; light-speed processing ...and," pausing to take another drink of beer.
The Senior took advantage of the break in the student's litany and said, "You're right, son. We didn't have those things when we were young..... So we invented them. Now, you arrogant little ****, what are you doing for the next generation?
The applause was resounding...”
Very funny, place-putting and astute but I wonder how many of us really do appreciate or even recognise our true place in society and our real purpose for being there? This generation mentioned inventing all the above things was the one(s) I grew up in, although I never directly influenced any of the above-mentioned things. However I did belong to the many from within that generation, that provided the goods and services, so that the more astute amongst us was able to be relieved of that tedium and to concentrate on these great inventions.
Again what about you? You may only be growing food, or making some of the more basic necessities of life, or selling them in a shop, or just supplying these people with their lunches.
On the surface just boring, tedious, unglamorous jobs, aren’t they? Yet these tasks are important, even essential, if those more inventive than us, are to both flourish and invent. Invent, create or simply improve the very things that many today take for granted, but which wouldn’t be here except for our kind and us, doing our jobs yesterday.
So today’s message has two points to it.
If you are indeed lucky enough to be in the natural inventive type, don’t rest on the laurels of all those who have gone before you, but look for newer or better things to improve on. Not just for yourself but also for the next Generation.
On the other hand, even if you are like me you are not the most original thinker or creative mind, take confidence that these other “Smarties’ can only exist and create because of your more mundane, even fundamental, but “Oh so necessary” supply of goods and services to them.
So the real moral of today’s story is: neither think too highly nor too lowly of yourself! All of us have a valued place and role in our society and generation, and, almost by default if you like, are leaving something for the next generation. The only question is not of its importance, but of it’s real value! So what, no matter how small you think it may be, are you leaving for the next Generation to benefit from?
It may not be even a solid tangible thing but simply a work ethic or personal inspiration. All of us leave something behind, whether good or bad! What say you? What are you leaving for future generations? And will it be appreciated for its true value?

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