While I was buying groceries tonight (last hours of double coupons, but more on THAT later), a young woman behind me shoved her wine-in-a-box to the cashier (who was ringing up my groceries) so she could pick up a magazine to browse while waiting in line. The cashier, who bears a startling resemblance to Maya Angelou, looks at the rude young woman who must have noticed that she is handing a package to a very busy woman in the middle of scanning a lot of groceries, and says, "They don't make them like they used to..."
How funny, and sad. I wonder if that off-handed comment holds much truth. I would like to believe that my generation and the ones who come after, are more tolerant, better prepared and have a deeper understanding of the world as a whole. Comments that pose the younger generation as thoughtless, lazy or unimaginative are very worrisome.
I dislike the trend of "reality" TV and the reach for fame that it nurtures. I dislike the ever-growing technology that "connects" us with others and the illusion it creates that replaces live human interaction. I dislike the trend of giving our children everything and taking away their ability to delay gratification, live simply and appreciate what is around them. I also dislike the tendency to judge a whole group of people and the ease in which I have also been guilty of saying, "When I was a teenager, I never..."
It is more important than ever for us now to be more understanding, tolerant and compassionate. Our world is small and complex. We must not take a little knowledge and color the world with it. Our country is divided by politics. We must respect each other's views because, like it or not, this is a true democracy and all parties are needed to keep the other in check. Our hearts are heavy with so many wars, natural disasters and terrible news as seen and heard daily. We must remember that we are all connected to each other and we can always make a difference.
