As you grow older, your exposure to life, naturally supplies maturity. However, in an environment that does not nourish certain character/personality traits, maturity is not fed and essentially malnourished, leaving the person to act often times unacceptably. Was that too forward and opinionated? I stated a lack of maturity to be unacceptable for someone who reasonably should be acting with respect and perspective, to their age. Does that sound less opinionated and more factual, a common understanding? It is rare I voice my opinion in a matter that, from my view, is fairly strong. Respect and perspective are strong characteristics that can never go wrong. (I invite objections to this statement, I am open to re-evaluating my own opinion). You provide respect to your peers, your elders, and your juniors and respect is reciprocated without doubt.
I am categorized as Generation Y, the Millennial worker. The jury isn't out yet on exactly what birth years categorize this generation. Roughly 1980-2000s. We are characterized as a generation that seeks efficiency, able to multi-task, team-oriented rather than individuals, etc. Nevertheless, my point really isn't so much this generation as a whole but more of the notes from observing just a decade of birth years. Specifically, I am speaking about the 1980s and partly the early 1990s. I'm an '85 baby. I have been fortunate to have been raised in an environment that breeds success and strives for only the best. I have been given a life that is privileged and by no means am I to "boast" of such because I am aware of how lucky I am to be in this situation no matter what "hardships" I think I am going through. Life can always be worst. But, reflecting upon my experiences so far, I find it as I observe those born closer to 1990s to the present, the sense of respect to others seem to dissipate at a more rapid rate as the sense of entitlement rises. We are approaching, if not already arrived to a point where teenagers are "maturing" faster than their body and mind can handle. This a consequence to their exposure to many resources, namely the internet. They have grown up in a world where the internet has always been there. Their access to information is endless. I aged myself among colleagues the other night by stating the method I used to listen to music and how I use to make "mix tapes" with actual cassette tapes, recording the radio. The walkman was pretty cool back then and was overly expensive. If you had a walkman, you were one of the cool kids. Our technological advancements have furthered our evolution and provided many good things, however, they have also provided negatives. Teenagers now believe they are being social when they chat with each other through googlechat, messenger, or even text messages. We have all become so dependent on technology. As convenient as it may be, most people have to admit they are hopeless without their smartphones. How did we survive merely a decade ago without smartphones with email, GPS, internet, and text messages? Landlines and payphones were the way people got in touch with each other, the way people communicated. Can you recall the last time you had a legitimate and meaningful face-to-face conversation with another human being without using any form of technological medium? A leisurely conversation, not one for business or with some ulterior motive.
I had one today. It was refreshing.
I met Foodie several months ago at the beginning of latest chapter. She was intimidating at first because of how focus, motivated, polite, and on top of her game she was. She exuded an aura that signified she will be a force to be reckoned with in my section. But her infectious smile and personality washed that intimidation perception right away. She still possesses all those traits but I have thrown my ignorant first impression in the trash and am glad to call her a good friend of mine. Foodie's conversation with me this evening filled me with exuberance. I did not realize how sad and boring my conversations with others had become. The typical small talk or the simple exchange of greetings and pleasantries. A real conversation had eluded me for a period of time I was unaware of. Our conversation reminded me of one I had a few years ago in Chicago with another friend of mine who at the time was really just an acquaintance. The mere fact that this was a face-to-face conversation and had substance in the topics discussed, put a smile on my face. She is an amazing person with an amazing story. Her character and personality elicit favorable responses. She is polite and respectful so you can't help but be drawn to her. It has and continues to be a pleasure to be in good company.
I lost my train of thought... goodnight
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