In a conversation with my 20 something stepson, I asked if when hanging out with his friends they ever discussed the events of the day. Thinking of the worries over the BP oil spill, the jobless rate, the economic issues, Haiti's destruction and rebuilding, etc., etc. He responded that they did not. I then asked if he every thought about these issues himself, to which he responded, "No not really." His dad then asked his opinion of the way things in the world were going and he said that things were just fine.
This got me thinking about the amount of time, energy, and resources we dedicate to our worries. I've often wondered whether or not the situation in the world is so much more dire, or is it just, with instant information on a global scale, that we are more aware of the difficulties in the greater world. This combined with the natural progression of young self-involvement towards the wider view of approaching elderhood.
When younger we also believed in the limitless possibilities, and as we age we become generally more conscious of limitations, of money, other resources and obligations,and of our health.
Is there a way to balance the hopeful attitude of youth tempered with awareness of obligation and the stewardship of the greater good? Some rely on the power of positive thinking in its various forms, some fall prey to despair, merely stop trying and grumble angrily at their TV's and computers.
Walking the path of balanced hope seems one of the greatest challenges as I age. By choosing to be with others of hope, surrounding, and being aware of beauty in the people, places, and things around me, choosing to be entertained and charmed by what, or who shows up in the store and in my life while simultaneously choosing to march forward on those issues that call to me I hope I can, we can hold that balance.
