The tendency in one's youth to avoid traditionally youthful activities and artistic experiences in order to obtain some serious career experience. Sometimes results in the mourning for lost youth at about age thirty, followed by silly haircuts and expensive joke inducing wardrobes. Generation X, 106
Any of you in your 30's, 40's or 50's experienced this? I'm doing my best to avoid the silly haircuts and embrace life as it is now! Though, I do grow the occasional beard...does this count as sillyness?
I do wonder what role Christianity plays in this...always trying to improve and get better and become mature. Good INTENTIONS, no doubt. But I often think of my college years as a time of trying to be a 40-year old...wise man - I.E. always asking what the wiser thing to do was - instead of being the young, passionate punk I was. Sure, learning the art of wisdom is important...but so is reality. I wonder if it would have been freeing to hear after a mistake or bad decision: "Hey, your barely legal to vote, you just left your parents house, you hardly have any experience in life - of course you made that decision. But hey, YOUR 19. It's okay to mess up every so often."
I remember a conversation I had with three IWU kids while I was in Australia. They wanted to come for the summer and serve at Crossroads and "do ministry." I suggested they spend one month working at Crossroads and one month traveling around the country. I think I even said, "Mine as well live it up if you're going to come all the way down here!" They seemed shocked and disappointed in my suggestion. One finally responded, "All of our lives are ministry. We wouldn't want to travel." I wonder...did the good intentions of Christianity lead to this...and will they be the thirty-year olds who start growing mohawks?? I guess they were young and crazy and 19...it's "okay to mess up every so often." :)
They never did make it down under.
Cheers to being young WHEN YOUR YOUNG and to being wise WHEN YOUR OLD and maybe a little of both for a lifetime.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Hi Josh, Being the 'I love a good quote' person I am, I really liked the ending of this blog.... It reminded me of one of my favourites which is how I choose to live my life (It may result in me looking a bit haggard, but it is all worth it!!)
"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOO HOO - What a Ride!" Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but the moments that take our breath away.
Take care,
Love Melanie
Hey Josh, I also like quotes so here's one for all.... 'To be old and wise, you must first be young and stupid'. Says alot in few words! Take it easy, Toni.....xx
Post a Comment