Yes, this image really spoke to how I’ve been feeling lately. No, I don’t feel like a piranha. But it does feel like we’re all trying to escape from a piranha tank, doesn’t it? No matter where you look, it’s like there is someone out there who will eat you up if you deign to disagree with them. While it makes for a lively conversation, it also makes you want to put on your Kevlar vest so that you aren’t hit by stray verbal missiles.
The world around us is becoming unrecognizable. It’s got a lot to do with the fact that no one wants to listen anymore because they’re too busy shouting into their personally-accessorized megaphones, trying to be a standout amongst the rest of the school. It would almost be amusing if not for the fact that I’m talking about adults. As children, we were prone to careless words or hurtful actions because we didn’t know any better. But didn’t that trait go away as we matured? Well, it seems that herein lies our problem. Did we really mature into thoughtful people who actually learned a few lessons over time? Some did, but not as many as I’d hoped. Every time I hear a child lecturing adults about their ignorance, I can only shake my head in wonder that we simply refuse to hear the meaning of their words. We’re too busy making rude comments like, “Oh, you know that kid’s parents told her to say that” or “He has no idea what he’s talking about. How could he, since he’s still a kid”.
Let’s compare a kid’s day (say a kindergartner):
- Learning to share
- Learning not to hurt another person
- I love you. You love me.
- Let’s all draw a picture about…
- Let’s explore
- What do you want to be when you grow up?
- What did you learn today?
And then let’s compare an adult’s day:
- How much profit did we make today?
- How much money can we save if we cut corners?
- How can we be the best?
- How late can you work?
Seriously, I think that I would pick the kid’s day every time simply because their lessons are not only important, but they’re vital even after we’ve reached adulthood. Lately, I find myself posting on other blogs (and here) to comment about childish arguments and name-calling because one person doesn’t agree with another person’s viewpoints. It’s not the disagreement that is getting to me. It’s the lack of respect. Come on people, seriously, this is how we choose to behave as adults?!? It’s no wonder kids don’t listen. It’s no wonder more protests by the younger generation are coming out into the open. They’re trying to force us adults to reach out to one another as human beings, in hopes that we can remind each other of how much we need one another.
- Stop the squabbling!
- Stop the thoughtless pursuit of more, more, more!
- Stop trying to best one another!
- Stop selling stuff!
Start remembering who you are, what your dreams are, and what you’re really capable of being. Not just doing, but being! The actions of adults are no longer amusing. So many things lately are making me think, “Are you kidding me?!?” I can only imagine what the kids must be thinking…
Even the United Nations can’t act like adults – and they’re all about peace!
Some more of my thoughts here:
