The Eternal Cycle

Isn't it interesting how life plays itself out? We were the "kids" until our parents pass and we come to the reality that WE are now the "parents, matriarchs, patriarchs"; we are now in charge of the traditions and routines that constitute family. We no longer have that parachute of others' past experiences to rely upon as we move forward.  Perhaps we remember how things were done just a little differently than they were, thus moving and changing and creating the next delicious layer of our history.  We still say my Mother always said or my Father always did but they are not there to correct or undermine our perfect 20-20 hindsight. But we still feel the way we did when we were 16 or 22 or 35.  We can't be in charge - I'm not ready.  But we are.

In our 20's it is weddings we attend as we watch friends and family eagerly approach the first exciting threshold of adult life. I look back at my 19 year old self and realize how young I was and naïve, but fortunately I didn't know it at the time so no harm done.  Well none lasting I assume. I always have the philosophy, Ok you've never done this before so just forge ahead like you know what you're doing and get through whatever it is.  People rarely call you on it if you are bold and confident plus it stiffens your spine and makes you look like you've got this.  Though they would not admit it, in my experience most just want someone to make the decisions and direct actions. However they will also consider you bossy and aggressive. So be it.

In our late 20's and 30's it's about babies and careers.  Both coming at once and both demanding your attention 24/7.  Fortunately you're strong at that age and as long as you don't know trying to balance all the tasks required is quite impossible it works.

40's and 50's are all about friends and family graduations and their children starting to marry. It's a time where some compare where they are with others usually to their disappointment. It's a time when you start looking to your future security, either cursing your lack of preparation or continuing to lay your golden pots in line to sustain a comfortable retirement.  It should also be a time of great influence and respect. You have paid your dues; you understand how the system works; your political opinions are active, and noisy. You can argue most positions and have enough experience to understand things are not always the black and white you believed when you were young and tender.  Unfortunately some folks never get past that stage regardless of age and experience which is sad but also may explain the inflexibility and prejudice displayed by those who should know better.

The 60's are the years when often when our parents start to falter and fail and we fear for their continued existence coupled with the incredible joy of grandchildren starting to arrive.  We buffer our worries from our children so that they can enjoy this exciting and busy time in their lives  filled with children and careers as we know the energy that takes. It is also a time when we have much to teach but are often ignored as being too old to actually understand the reality of now. One can only chuckle and realize we were guilty of the same when we were younger.  We bury our parents and lament, "I'm not ready", "I am still your child", "I still need your loving acceptance and advice" "How can I be the advisor for myself and others without your support"?  

But the beauty of the system is that we are ready and, as always has been since the beginning, we will carry our own until they are ready as well.

BIRD WATCHING

Rant for the day.  Changed my routine a couple of years ago to work out in the wee hours of the morning. Downside - getting up at 3 am to torture my body.  Upside - control of television, lights and machines. Not having to interact with any crazies -priceless.  However my peace has been shattered a few times recently by a couple of happy ladies I have christened the magpies.  They find each other with heartfelt squeals of delight and then proceed to spend the next hour chatting and chatting and chatting ad nauseam.  Ladies!  It's 3:30 am in the 'effing morning.

I can't stand earplugs in my very sensitive waxy ears so I am subjected to this interplay which ranges from what a good person they are to a very thorough dissection of many people they know by name. Ok now I'm being judgmental and fortunately I don't know the people they are discussing.  But the point being, go have a private cup of coffee somewhere.  Someone might actually be trying to concentrate to overcome the knives driven through their knees with every step. Don't need my ears bleeding as well.  End of Rant.  I feel better now.

MS MEGYN K LEANING RIGHT?

Listened to an interview with Fox News Megyn Kelly this morning. Though not a supporter of her point of view on some issues; still she is intelligent, witty and very savvy about the world and politics.  I guess I might be slightly offended by her comment that she pictures her audience as women at the end of a hard day of child raising or work or both, sitting back with a glass of chardonnay wanting to digest the day's news without a "whole lot thinking about it" (my interpretation of what she said).  I object to the glass of Chardonnay rather than Merlot as being so "feminine" but that's just me.  Oh yeah, the no thinking part was a little off-putting but then all newscasts attempt to do that, so strictly speaking not exactly a flaw.

I do appreciate that she stood up to Donald Trump and has not lowered herself to his level of insults. He has proven himself a coward where she has shown class and grit in ignoring his opinions on women in general which should offend all. In fact, she said she would welcome him on her show with or without an apology. In that, I totally relate. There have been many times in my career where the level of insensitivity and personal offense needed to be ignored so that I could do my job and move forward.

However when asked whether she believed Fox news has a conservative bias, she disagreed with Charlie Rose of all people. Though she did say she would love to be on a show with herself, Charlie and Oprah.  Now that would be worth watching! So again she is open to other opinions while being able to support of her own which I admire.  She also stated that most news had a left leaning bias  Well of course Ms Megyn and I thank our wonderful 1st amendment for allowing that to occur.  The establishment (read that as the rich and powerful) would rather all us plebes embrace what they say so as not to, dare we say, rebel against the establishment thus rocking the throne on which they sit. Establishment means "conservative".  Any ideas outside of that conservatism has been punished throughout history from burning non-believers at the stake, labeling scientists as heretics and allowing fascist and dictator regimes to exist in the modern world.

Any ideas presented outside of the conservative view are considered dangerous and radical as the "people" may get ideas that they are as good as the privileged few and worthy of respect and a decent life.  Of course all is not perfect on the left, but thinking people need to hear many opinions and be exposed to all pertinent information that may have bearing on a situation or idea. So thank you "other than Fox News" and "CNBC" for being left leaning. When we attempt to muzzle communication that does not follow the conservative party line, just because it is different, we assist in forging the very chains that lead us into another dark age of ignorance.