Yesterday I picked up my 17 year old nephew from summer camp and we had a few hours to talk about life. He expressed concern that he didn’t know how to make a difference in the world, or even if it was possible.
I know that feeling of almost helplessness in the face of the chaos of our times; it can be incredibly daunting, trying to figure out how to use your talents to make the world a better place.
“My grandmother always told me that if you can’t do anything else, at the very least you can smile and make someone’s day a little brighter,” I replied to him. That’s making a difference. “But also, as you’re considering your career, observe how other people in your field are making a difference – and there are PLENTY.”
I love that this generation coming up understands the importance of using their talents for the greater good – it feels like SOMETHING from the peace movement of the 1960s has actually carried through the decades. I’ve heard young people say that they wish they had been born in the ’60s, and I tell them – it’s up to you to recreate it! Just find your tribe, figure out what you love so much about the 1960s, then make it happen right here and now.
We live in a universe of infinite possibilities; nothing at all is set in stone. The more I research, the more I understand that creative visualization is one of our most powerful tools… that, and the ability to follow through.
I truly believe that our young people should have time every day to close their eyes and imagine the future they want to live in…. figure out what they are passionate about… have a place to talk about their ideas… and the adults & resources neeed to help them bring that future to life.