Where’d We Go Wrong?

Yesterday, while buzzing about for a Michael Jackson video I could download (for Missing Michael blog post), I took a break and visited TED.  I happened on this stimulating, albeit fast paced video (I had to watch it twice and pause it to read the slides) on time perspective and how it influences our decisions.  It is only 6 1/2 minutes and applies to everyone (although some with certain time perspectives would disagree).  If you cannot view it here, visit: http://www.ted.com/talks/philip_zimbardo_prescribes_a_healthy_take_on_time.html

What caught my attention was the delayed gratification piece, the kids with the marshmallow snippet.  Teaching our children to wait, to practice self control obviously makes a huge difference for years and years and probably for generations to come.

Self control is one of the fruits of the Spirit…evidently it is on God’s Parenting agenda to teach us how to wait, how to resist temptation, how to control oneself.  A future time perspective equips kids with an understanding about consequences (positive and negative consequences), about what happens when we get too hedonistic or even fatalistic in the here and now. 

Of course, the time perspective of parents is vital…if they’re not future oriented, if they don’t consider the long term consequences their kids will endure because of their parenting style/their lifestyle, then kids are at a distinct disadvantage and oftentimes have to learn things the hard way.  Hedonism, the pursuit of pleasure in the here and now, as a parenting style/lifestyle leaves all of our futures on the brink…for no one (parent or child) is looking at long term consequences, no one is left fending for the future.

The present economic crisis, in my mind, is a consequence of excess present hedonism while disregarding the future.  Where did this all start?  What is the genesis of such a lopsided orientation?  I sniff the ’60’s myself, the Boomer/Woodstock generation seems plenty hedonistic to me.  How, though?  How did they get that way?  Was it their parents?  Did Mom and Pop spoil the kids? Did they teach them instant gratification?  That Silent Generation…how silent were they?  Are we experiencing catacalysmic echoes of their ”quiet” ways?  That Builder Generation, what exactly did they build at home? 

Or, maybe Woodstock was just good old fashioned teenaged rebellion…the kind that happens when kids aren’t taught how to take responsibilty for their actions, aren’t given age appropriate choices, don’t believe they have any control over their life.  Life is mapped out and they just have to fit the mold…yeah, pretty restricting…rebellion surely smells sweet in such a society, at least for the rebellers. 

Hmmm…well, I do wonder…it is not fair, though, that the Boomers went haywire and did so with a strong sense of self and a stable home life–subsequent generations have been robbed of such comforts.  With haywire parents few kids get a square chance at doing life well…

Boomers might agree with all of this, might even say “I’m sorry”.  But what are they going to do about it…that is what I wonder…how repentant are they?  Maybe “sorry” is voiced so that in their old age their children will hopefully become less hedonistic and actually take care of them.  Maybe it is a way for them to get what they want as they realize they soon won’t be able to personally provide for their desires.  Am I too cynical here?  Yeah, probably…nasty me.

Anyway, the only way forward is to look at what we’re doing and reorient, refocus, look down the road a bit to what is best for our grandkids.  Jesus came ushering in a new Kingdom: one where people look out for one another, where people want what is best for others, where people seek what is lifegiving not only now but for future generations.  The key, though, is always Him..He’s the transformer, the healer the counselor, etc.  Maybe He is what was missing all along…maybe a real relationship with Jesus was never introduced to the Boomers early in life.  Maybe that Silent Generation was super silent on all things spiritual…maybe the Builder Generation built only what is visible, bypassing the invisible…

Hmm…just some musings…kinda fun to ponder, to step back and look at dear America as she turns yet another year older…