Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way?

Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way? by 

Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way?

I try to be. one thing I have learned about having an adult child–Never give advice until it's asked for-and then be unconserned with what they do with it.

Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way?

That's really wise, Lizzyl! Like planting a seed and giving it space to sprout [that seems to be my metaphor for the week right now; i see it everywhere!]

Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way?

Funny you should mention seeds.  My kitchen herb garden is growing like gangbusters and I am going to put in some tomatos soon.
My daughter called me last night and she is sending me her latest story(she is freelance writing) I can't wait to read it.

Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way?

Yes. 

Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way?

Siona, I'm delighted you stopped by and good to read your post.

It made me realize that if each of us cannot come to terms –joyfully–with our own aging, seeing it positively rather than negatively; we will only wince when we see older people. As someone told me, they feel invisible.

I used to feel that in India we are nicer to the older people; and I stil think we may be “nicer”—but this aspect, of people stopping to grow, to change, to allow their growing  wisdom and not their traditional ideas [read ideas solidified since age 20] to shine…. is something I see there as well.

But things are changing…there are exceptions, and they show the way.

Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way?

How do we define “youth” . I think true “youth ” takes place in the mind and the heart. I have seen 70 year-olds that have more “youth” that those at 20 or even 13. I think youth is keeping yourself fresh mentally and always being open to new experiences.
I try not to give way to the tempation to 'romantize” the days of my”youth”.
I have some good memories, but I am living today!

Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way?

I agree about the definition of  “youth”–which is why this thread is talking about youngsters. Those who are not 50 yet. Of course, even that is relative.  As the 84 year old mom of a friend told me : “50?!!” YOu're a baby!

In someone's eyes, if not in ours, we are always babies, children, kids, youngsters.

SO perhaps, Lizzyl–we can turn this question around: do we youthful people in our 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s feel that those older than us, are relevant to us?

Wow! I love this game;you never know where you'll be at any given moment. Thanks for this, Lizzyl!

Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way?

well, if'n you ask me, and mebbe you did, i think that we should just kind of hang out in the sidelines and keep an eye out for any chance to interact in a way that wont intrude too much in the kid's life…that is with teenagers, they are the worst, i think….i didn't used to be an old fogey, but hey, i didn't used to be 55 now.

when kids give me crap about it, i tell them i am old enough to be an outdated speed limit, and that kind of keeps them wondering.

Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way?

You start by forgetting your a relic.

And recognize youngsters want to relate to us.  They thrive on acceptance, but they won't be conned by flattery. (The flatterer feeds you with an empty spoon)

It is so easy to fall into the trap of judging them.  If we think we are being relevant by advising them what not to do without the wisdom to show them what they should do, then we cease to be relevant to them.

That's when they see us as hypocrites.

They don't want us to be what we are not.  They want us to set an example they can aspire to to help develop their self esteem.

How often have young people reached a certain level but instead of congratulating them, we move the goal posts and say you've still got this much further to come.

Lead by an attainable example.

Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way?

Andrew,

in am not a relic, a fossil mebbe, or even an old fart, but not a relic!

Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way?

Hmmm…balance out being old-and-experienced with being young-at-heart-and-mind…. and “i am old enough to be an outdated speed limit,”…that got ME wondering too, wordsmith.

You sure are one [wordsmith, I mean; phrase-smith too!]

And Andrew, “How often have young people reached a certain level but instead of
congratulating them, we move the goal posts and say you've still got
this much further to come.”

hear! hear!

Re: Are we relevant to youngsters? How do you stay that way?

ah, thank you, i appreciate the kind words.