I have a favorite author who turned very negative when she became elderly.
In Real Life I've watched those who became cranky, also, and online? Ha. They're everywhere, even babies (relatively).
Well. Way before I turned 50, I vowed that I'd never become a nasty, sour, "things-aren't-the-way-they-used-to-be-so-that-means-they're-bad" little old lady.
Heaven help me if I put a permanent kink in my aging neck because I'm constantly staring backward.
I mean, I'm already tired of hearing how email will never be as meaningful as hand-written letters, how you can't tie them up with a ribbon for others to someday discover in dusty attics (uh, ever heard of a printer?). The main thing is--face it!-- letter-writing had become an almost Dead Art. Yet now? We're all writing to each other again. We're communicating, sharing our beliefs, our days and making changes through our words-- just through a different means. An electronic one.
The problem I've seen? Older folks (and those 'older inside their heads') believe different is bad and change is negative. They believe if it's not their preferred way, then it's the wrong way.
Oh, may I never live inside such tiny boxes!
The Internet is here to stay, Folks, and it's making a difference in our world--not just our online world, either--but in this Real World.And shouldn't we rejoice? Shouldn't we be happy that quiet homebodies, whose wisdom was once ignored, now have a Voice in this world, one independent of literary editors who dislike what they're saying or how they say it?
That people everywhere can now share their beliefs and opinions with many others--and make some wonderful friends along the great online way, as well?
Well, I think so. I see all our communication and friend-making online as a Good Thing.
And as I continue to age, may I never view it as anything else. And may I be quick to listen to other points of view, slow to speak and always willing to change my mind about a few things.
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Amen! Another wonderful post, Debra, that is oh so true. :)
ReplyDeleteI think it is a "human condition" to be nostalgic about one's past, and "remember it" as better than it actually was. That may be part of the reason people negatively compare the present to the past.
ReplyDeleteMany idolize how "romantic" and "wonderfully simplistic" life was at the turn of the century, and early decades of the twentieth century. In truth, it was extremely difficult for the majority of people and they suffered many hardships.
Change is sometimes difficult for people of any age, but if they are adaptable, they will find that some change is wonderful.
As usual I completely agree with you Debra.There is no way to meet all the wonderful people that I have if not for internet,change is good if its improvement and I think this is.Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteI agree with you -I think getting older is NOT an excuse for being negative. Add while I do love receiving a hand-written note or card - I am hearing MUCH more from friends and family now that if they took the time (stamps, finding my address etc) to "write" to me. I have been in instant communication via the internet with people from all over the world that i would NEVER have met as I don't yet travel - so I am ever thankful for the progress - and remember, these are the days that our grandchildren will think of as "the good old days"!
ReplyDeleteYour comment about writers growing negative as they age rang true with me. I had to give up on reading one author for exactly that reason: she seemed to be doing nothing but complain. About everything.
ReplyDeleteI love this warm color.
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