hello hello! some thoughts to ponder... i wonder if anyone agrees or has something to add to this stream of questions? check it out...
my time in vernon was beautiful for so many reasons... did a lot of thinking on the plane and at the airports. thoughts i don't think i ever acknowledged or was even conscience of possessing. my grandma. my mom. me. thoughts like, is this what ageing is like? you sit around and talk about the weather, traditions and memories, and of how this person is good to you because they gave you money, and that person's a sweetheart cuz they do this or that for you... i tried to see if she'd go deeper with her thoughts you know? but then that made me realize that these people grew up during completely different times and circumstances than those of my own generation... so how could i possibly expect someone of her age to follow my thought processes? that is not to say there aren't 80 year olds who might be able to engage in this kind of conversation and probing for meaning... OR is the quickness of mind and ability to create new memories and use those brain cells to dig deep as you did in your youth, is this just something that time strips away from you? is it possible to work out your brain by keeping it occupied with constant and consistent stimulation so that when/if you do reach old age, you're still quite sharp? will our generation - the folks that have secondary and post-secondary education - prove to be completely unlike those of the current senior population?
my time in vernon was beautiful for so many reasons... did a lot of thinking on the plane and at the airports. thoughts i don't think i ever acknowledged or was even conscience of possessing. my grandma. my mom. me. thoughts like, is this what ageing is like? you sit around and talk about the weather, traditions and memories, and of how this person is good to you because they gave you money, and that person's a sweetheart cuz they do this or that for you... i tried to see if she'd go deeper with her thoughts you know? but then that made me realize that these people grew up during completely different times and circumstances than those of my own generation... so how could i possibly expect someone of her age to follow my thought processes? that is not to say there aren't 80 year olds who might be able to engage in this kind of conversation and probing for meaning... OR is the quickness of mind and ability to create new memories and use those brain cells to dig deep as you did in your youth, is this just something that time strips away from you? is it possible to work out your brain by keeping it occupied with constant and consistent stimulation so that when/if you do reach old age, you're still quite sharp? will our generation - the folks that have secondary and post-secondary education - prove to be completely unlike those of the current senior population?
and... how can someone say: "money is the root of all evil" and "if i win the lottery, i'll do _____ and _____", in one breath? why does it boil down to money always???? am i strange to have something else at the top of my priority list? and should i judge someone for my perceived difference in priorities?
i mean, i love my nana to peices, but it's just that this visit provoked some pretty intense pondering!!! i thought i'd share it with whomever still reads me on here... hopefully it doesn't offend anyone. that wasn't my intention. but like i said, tell me what you think! i don't care how long the reply is... i'm so interested... kind of like gathering data for a sociological study/experiement of mine. gotta use my degree for something, right? heehee
11 comments:
First of all, if it offends, it offends, this is YOUR blog, containing YOUR thoughts. You need to apologize for nothing. Secondly, growing up in the depression must have had a profound effect on her world view. However, there are many, many people of our generation who think the same way. To some, things are the way to happiness, or at least to some sense of self worth. Others find their peace through helping others, through art, music, or sports. There will always be a portion of our population that is most concerned with having the best and shiniest things, who judge success by material accumulation. This will not change, I don't think. Money is such an important part of our society because it is completely necessary to function. To be able to live without money is to remove yourself completely from this world we know. So it's a necessary evil, I suppose. But I guess the key is to view it as a means to an end rather than as a status symbol, or whatever. Okay, I've been writing so long that I'm not sure if this even makes sense anymore, so here is where I'll stop. Byebye.
Yay, an update! :D
Many questions, and a tired Sandra... But, I don't think that our generation will be that different when we get old. Complaining about the youth of today and such. ;) But of course we'll be different in some ways. Time changes things. I mean, we're different around 25 too. In some ways. Hm. Don't know much about canadian grandmothers though! :P
yEaH!!! an update // its been a while ,,, just call me Lyle.. Hop on the bus ,, Gus . Do'nt need to discuss much . Just pass on the key Leigh and listen to me.
'Conscience is Conscious', 'Peices are Pieces', 'Experiement is Expirement', sowrry bout that.
The depression has nothing to do about anything. Today's youth theory has nothing to do bout anything. Tomorrow's youth has nothing to do bout anything. Neanderthal vs Cro-magnon has nothing to do bout anything. Evolution vs religion has nothing to do bout anything. Human nature has everything to do about the aforementioned 'to do bout anythings'. Human nature crosses boundaries , it is special and so interesting.
It does not matter the date , it does not matter the circumstance , it does not matter the race. What matters is that it is 'Human Nature'.
I must add it does not matter the nationality nor does it matter the gender. 'Human Nature',,,, wonderful , exciting quite often predictable if we are in tune with it.
Think of the depression days and who lived thru them. People that you know and look up to may include those who are known as ' Leaky's Angels', 'sister Theresa',
'GHandi', . People who have given of themselves to others and made living for others that much better in this world . Our glass , individually , is either 'half full' or 'half empty'.
I think of the people that came to this country before it was a country as we now know it. I think of the first Protestants who , descimated by the Inquisition and Black Death came to this country to start a new beginning and those who had nothing to loose when they left their old countries. I think of those who lived in times of depression way beyond the one that has just happened, I think of those who are now presently living depressions in other parts of the world and it is the only world they know of .
Some are 'givers' while some are 'takers' throughout our beautiful world. Be aware of that and study this aspect of human nature by looking , listenning and , in accordance , doing what you feel is right, which may include giving to the takers. Be proud, conscious and aware.
Furthermore , let it rest in peace within yourself.
Shine on,
2bornot2b
huh... well after i muddled through the first part of your so-called "response" (haha), I think I understand your perspective, though it's not one I entirely agree with.
when you said ______ "has nothing to do with anything", you pretty much contradicted yourself by saying "human nature has everything to do about the aforementioned 'to do bout anythings'" since all those 'anythings' are part of human nature? no? what makes each of us human? and so YES gender has everything to do with anything since women experience aging uniquely different than do men, for one. for two, race also has SO much to do with anything and to deny that is absurd. and for more, all the other factors you denied have so much to do with everything, with how each of us sees the realities of our day to day lives... ya, today's seniors were born during the depression, their outlook is that of their particular socioeconomic upbringing. today's youth will grow up bringing our own unique socializations to the dinner table of old age.
so in conclusion, while I agree that human nature is undeniable and is our common characteristic, I do not agree that it transcends gender, race, history, socioeconomic background and especially not individual experience and perspective.
it's so interesting how we (papa and I) see such a similar outcome to so many theories and ideas, yet our individual theories and ideas -the way of achieving the end goal - are so different... makes for interesting debate and conversation though! :-)
I agree with you, J!
You shine bright.
2bornot2b
Rabbit,
Funny I've been thinking the same thing about me mom and me.. communication..gap it may be, and then "so what". The neurons don't go far enough or deep enough. I have just started seeing it as a difference. Difference b/n me and her and me and my kids or grandkids when i have some. And the difference will always exist. And I am glad it does. If not, WE WOULD ALL BE THE SAME and THAT is boring. Some of us go deeper than others and that is fine. Some of our are more conscious than others and even fewer believe that "knowledge is responsibility". I bet my mom and even some of my peers do not believe that knowledge is responsibility, and it can get very hard to communicate. This difference I rather not see, but if it were only upto me......
hugs, S.
I need to address this...especially after reading through not only your thoughts, Jacks, the the thoughts of others in your life. One word stands out to me that I haven't seen yet. CHOICE.I think that we can ponder this existence of things, or lack thereof and they're meaning until the end of time. THe question is, Will you choose to accept those opinions of others and respect them as theirs? We can feel as enlightened or unenlightened as we choose, but an excellent point was raised that we all are different. And how BORING would life be without those differences? I really don't think age plays that much a part of our views and beliefs...our experiences and choices as to how to interpret those experiences are what is important. It is never our place to judge that (even though it is difficult for most of us). This is where our concious CHOICE comes in as to how we will approach each issue and belief. It is not our job to convince others of a better way. It is our job to be ourselves and make ourselves loving and hopeful and joyous and to enjoy our successes as we see fit, however they may come.
Just a little thought from your ever pragmatic friend.
Loves
Jami
It is part of human nature to 'question', 'wonder' etc. It is part of human nature to 'Dream', 'want' etc. It is part of human nature to 'hate', 'love' etc. it is part of human nature to 'build', 'destroy' etc. Every single human being has it in them to 'choose', one or the other.
Should the choice be to get along with one another, we would then have to accept one another's ideas which would most likely include 'dreams', 'wants', 'etc's'.
So on , so on. Should we choose to all agree to disagree with one another would the next choice be then to destroy one another. Human nature threads itself through all of us. Humans make choices and those choices affect their interrelationship, their happiness, their misery, in some cases their very existence.
Humans are a product of their socio economic surroundings. We can choose to live within those surroundings or we may choose to look beyond and further. We may choose to look into the future , we may choose to look into the past. We can also choose not to search , not to look. We can choose not to think , not to write, not to cummunicate. Humans can also , in the end, choose
2bornot2b
Well, well, well.... lots of words around here... coming in, flowing back, going round and round and round in my head... but very interesting words... your's and also your friend's and family's... you are surrounded by very sensible persons lucky you!!! I love you!
Salut Louise ,
Tu es une de ces belles personnes et ta lumiere, elle est vive.
Tu es ma soeur illuminee.
Je te souhaite sante et bonheur.
A la prochaine.
2 hetres ou ne pas 2 hetres
(les arbres)
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