Anthony
Gifford: How to Live Through Your Grandchildren
For most of us, our lives seem to
usually crawl along without much change. And then, sometimes
unexpectedly, something will change. An event that makes us see
things differently. A chance to choose a different path. Maybe a
graduation. A marriage. Job opportunity. A death. Or becoming a
grandparent. Looking into the eyes of that small miracle, realizing
that everything that has been is wrapped up in this awesome package.
You would gladly die for this new being.
Suddenly you are an elder. You begin
to reflect on your life in new ways, to see yourself and even the
whole world through different lenses, through the eyes of this baby
in her years to come. Maybe this is why most of the world's
civilizations have valued the wisdom of the elders. They alone had
the outlook that was needed for survival in the long run. But our
culture doesn't share this view. So, grandparents, we've got to
smarten up and look at the facts.
What is this world we are leaving
behind? Since our births, the population has tripled. We have used
over half of the non-renewable resources of the world, about 80% of
the oceans' fish. Most of the current pollution and climate change
has happened in our life-time. We are leaving and are still living
toward catastrophe. This is our gift and legacy to our
grandchildren.
The question for us: Do we love our
grandchildren? Would we die for them? Would we live for them?
Fact: Most of the world's wealth is in our hands. We have the time
now to do as we will. We hold vast stores of knowledge and
influence. We now have the opportunity to do what ever we want.
What do we want? IS the question. If we rely on senior and retirement
literature, all we're interested in is skin creams, keeping our
portfolios in good shape and picking the right trip or cruise.
Spending money, making money and not being any good for anyone else!
And a merry Christmas to you, grand kids!
This kind of retirement will continue
killing the earth and killing our grandchildren in the process.
If we love them, If we would die for
them, If we would live for them, firstly, we must actually talk to
them, sharing with them the reality of us and our role in what has
happened, and our knowledge of what must now happen in order for life
to continue. Talk from your own truths. It may be Jewish, or
Christian or Muslim, atheist or agnostic. The truth will be the
same. And vow to live on much less, for what you now use is
literally stealing from those who are yet to come. Vow with them to
learn to share. Vow with them to influence others, to become active
in all aspects of life. You might be amazed as to their reaction.
Form with them a conspiracy, but don't plan on the middle generation
to understand. They'll probably be too busy making money and
worrying about their retirement to give any energy to the really
important stuff of life.
Grandparents, what a chance we now
have. Become WISE. Use your power, time and knowledge for those who
come after. Refuse to follow the lies of success that surround us.
Look into the eyes of the very young and see again the way of truth
and love. Let the little children lead.
No comments:
Post a Comment