I’ve been middle-aged most of my life. Some people are child-like, if not childish, all their lives. Others are sober, mature - even stoic. I’ve been a reserved person all my life. Close friends are few, while acquaintances are many. Solitude is relished. Crowds annoying. Yes, I’m middle-aged and perhaps growing more cranky by the day.
I’m not attracted to unsettled people. They annoy me. “What are we going to do now,” is a phrase I could never hear again and be happy.
Entertainment hounds defy any logic I’ve ever understood. Things to do, places to go, people to see is a longstanding joke among many people. For others, it is a way of life. It bores me to tears to see people chasing live concerts, movies, DVD’s, activities to engage in and whatever their heart wants to chase for the moment. Spectating is their way of life I guess. Most are too busy being entertained than working on making their life count for anything important.
Yes, welcome to middle-aged. Welcome to old fogeyism. I plead guilty!
As I bullet toward old age with screaming fury I have little patience for adult age young people who fail to understand that time is ticking and life is moving fast. I know what it is to be stuck in the middle between what you hoped would be and what you still hope for. I’m not so far gone that I can’t still realize a few dreams. They’re more limited than they were 20 years ago, but I still have a few items I could knock off my dream list.
I see men and women in their mid-20’s to mid-30’s who seem to have no clue about life. They put one foot in front of the other week after week. They do the same things this week they did last week. They go to concerts. They cavort. They watch filth on TV, DVD’s and movies. They play videogames for hours. They (fill in the blank with whatever you’d like).
They never cease to be entertained enough. They’re uncomfortable in their skin. They hate being alone (say with a book, or with one’s own thoughts). Quiet moments are considered “boring.” Yet, their daily/weekly thrills never satisfy. So tomorrow or next week they seek more thrills, different thrills. Different bands to go see live. Different DVD’s to watch. Different movies to attend. But all the same.
Building relationships is important only as it relates to “who can I get to go with me tonight?” Pursuing a higher purpose is not under consideration either. I suppose they think there will be time for that later in life. They fail to understand that little victories early on pay off big later in life. They don’t seem to understand the value of the habits they’re creating - or those they’re failing to create. They don’t think they’re stuck, but from where I sit they are among the most stuck people in the world. I just saw on TV an advertisement for some new Matthew M
Getting unstuck takes work. It takes focus. It takes introspection. It takes time. Most adults (that I know) in the age bracket that drives me crazy (mid-20’s to mid-30’s) lack many or all of these things. Their ambitions are ones I can’t quite understand. They don’t care about money and that’s not a bad thing except many them are moochers. They don’t care about sacrificing for their future. They’re rude, obnoxious, unfocused and unsettled. Many are ungrateful.
THEN, there are the exceptions (at least in my experience and in my life). There are the ones who consider their life in a grander scheme of things. They focus on their education because they have specific goals and that education will propel them forward to achieve those goals. They’ll have advantages and opportunities they wouldn’t have without higher education.
These same young adults spend time fostering relationships that matter today and will matter more later. They understand the give and take necessary to be better at building relationships.
They understand being polite and making a positive impression on others. They’re professional. They’re approachable. They’re focused and willing to sacrifice.
I wonder, why the difference? What makes one young adult mature and another immature?
I don’t have any real hard and fast answers, but I know this much. The maturity developed in those who made up their minds to build a life that matters, a life of some substance. The immature people didn’t do that. Rather, they’re like dogs chasing cars. Whatever drives by captures their imagination and derails them from whatever it was they were doing earlier.
And they’re about as much fun to watch as those dogs. Both have the same chance of being run over and killed. Both are very annoying. Both deserve to be hit.
Too bad we can treat this poor behavior with dog training tactics. Dog trainers put shock collars on dogs that chase moving objects. When they begin the chase, they jolt them to stop them from chasing. In time, it works. They learn their lesson. Not people.
The other tactic is equally effective, but may take longer. Dog trainers will have a friend drive by in a car loaded with water balloons. When the dog chases the driver throws water balloons at the dog. They claim it works. I’d love to volunteer my services if anybody out there wants to give it a shot.
I’ve considered getting a paint ball gun and shooting the young adult who behaves like a moronic teenager. I figured that might land me in jail and no annoying person is worth time behind bars.
But boy, what I wouldn’t give to carry a taser or water balloon launcher though. I think I could cure a few folks, but I’m too old for that. You know you’re middle-aged when you’re old to taser anybody or toss water balloons at them.
Even if they deserve it and it might help them!
NOTE: Think I’m full of hooey? I just saw an advertisement for some new movie called, “Failure to Launch.” It stars Matthew McConaughey and Sarah Jessica Parker, along with Terry Bradshaw. Here is the published plot: “A thirtysomething slacker (that would be McConaughey in case you were wondering) suspects his parents of setting him up with his dream girl so he’ll finally vacate their home.” There you have it. A thirtysomething slacker. The world is full of them. So much so, they can make a movie and we can all understand the plot. Young and old alike have seen this plot played out in real life. I don’t go to movies. Break out the water balloons!
