You can't teach an old dog new tricks, they say. It really is funny how your perspective changes as you get older. I think looking at this idea from another angle, my own old age now, that I'd say I don't really want to learn "new tricks." I don't want to be re-programmed, I don't want to be trained, I don't want to be someone's cute, maneuverable little puppy. That's a disdain, a disrespect that is remarkably distasteful. [I also hate for young women in their work roles referring to me as sweetie or honey.]
Yeah, I know, the "old dog" thing, it's just a nice, little cliche. Don't take it so seriously. Calm down.
But, you know, everyone has an -ism that they're pushing nowadays. So, maybe I'll adopt a new one myself, for me. Ageism. Age bias. Not because I feel I'm personally being treated poorly because of my age. But, looking around from my gray-haired perch, I'm seeing way too many other elderly people with inadequate opportunity to live a fulfilling life.
I never have intended my "ramblings" to be highly supported, all-inclusive treatises--they are mere mental wanderings. So, I won't attempt long discussions of the crimes upon the elderly--the physical, psychological, and financial abuse and neglect, for example, to name a few. Rather, it's the general attitude I'm seeing in these young'ns--40 and under--the snide, laugh-seeking remarks about old people, the knowing looks in eye-rolling asides, the quiet dismissals of opinions, the general attitude that elders are quite the inconvenience in effort and time.
...wait, though! That old dog lying slovenly about in his own waste doesn't earn any respect either if he is "using" his age for his selfish advantage. I'm not speaking of him. Nor, of his younger counterparts, the spoiled children.
I think where I'm finally landing in all this snorting is in a terrain where age isn't a factor at all. It really isn't age that is life's determinant. It's attitude, it's the general respect for the worth of other humans. And, I always contend that human worth is derived from our Creator who chose to mold us in His own image, particularly giving us the gift of making choices. Our entire value lies in that one concept. So, I'm back to speaking once again about sweet Jesus!
We need to move away from the Old Dog way of thinking and the Young People Are All Idiots way of thinking and thru Faith value each other in all ways. Maybe, that's the "new trick" everyone needs to learn...
Genesis 1:27--"So God created mankind in his own image..."
Yeah, I know, the "old dog" thing, it's just a nice, little cliche. Don't take it so seriously. Calm down.
But, you know, everyone has an -ism that they're pushing nowadays. So, maybe I'll adopt a new one myself, for me. Ageism. Age bias. Not because I feel I'm personally being treated poorly because of my age. But, looking around from my gray-haired perch, I'm seeing way too many other elderly people with inadequate opportunity to live a fulfilling life.
I never have intended my "ramblings" to be highly supported, all-inclusive treatises--they are mere mental wanderings. So, I won't attempt long discussions of the crimes upon the elderly--the physical, psychological, and financial abuse and neglect, for example, to name a few. Rather, it's the general attitude I'm seeing in these young'ns--40 and under--the snide, laugh-seeking remarks about old people, the knowing looks in eye-rolling asides, the quiet dismissals of opinions, the general attitude that elders are quite the inconvenience in effort and time.
...wait, though! That old dog lying slovenly about in his own waste doesn't earn any respect either if he is "using" his age for his selfish advantage. I'm not speaking of him. Nor, of his younger counterparts, the spoiled children.
I think where I'm finally landing in all this snorting is in a terrain where age isn't a factor at all. It really isn't age that is life's determinant. It's attitude, it's the general respect for the worth of other humans. And, I always contend that human worth is derived from our Creator who chose to mold us in His own image, particularly giving us the gift of making choices. Our entire value lies in that one concept. So, I'm back to speaking once again about sweet Jesus!
We need to move away from the Old Dog way of thinking and the Young People Are All Idiots way of thinking and thru Faith value each other in all ways. Maybe, that's the "new trick" everyone needs to learn...
Genesis 1:27--"So God created mankind in his own image..."
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