This article is dedicated to all those
that are more mature
and they have a feeling that those less mature
have nothing to say.
- You’re too young to talk to me like that!
- You don’t know what’s life about!
- You’re not even able to take care of yourself!
I’m sure all of you have already heard one of those phrases in your life. Maybe it was at the family gathering, where, after a few shots, everybody is an expert on how to live a happy life. Or you just left an unwashed plate somewhere and your parents didn’t like it. Nevertheless, our generation is not as wicked as it may seem at first sight. Sometimes, it’s enough to listen.
What is a stereotype?
If you ask older generations, it is more than likely that it would be very similar opinion to those of gossiping grandmas on how young people can’t do anything else but smoke and drink. Yes, I’ll acknowledge the fact that many youngsters turn to different substances. And I’m not saying it’s right. That, however, doesn’t mean that they cannot have reasonable insights. It sounds unbelievable, but the same people can be found in galleries, the same people own books written by philosophers as well as well-known classics. And exactly the same people can give you a piece of very practical advice in different fields. There’s just one huge problem.
People don’t ask and don’t listen.
How to listen?
Often we think that we know everybody around or that we have gone through more than them. We kind of put flaps on ears and instead of silent and careful listening, we play our own scenarios in our head. Although people don’t change their life from scratch every day, even the smallest change, like favourite colour, can have an immense influence on us. Have you ever tried to ask one of the most simple questions - why?
When I came back to Slovakia during the summer, I had 5 new tattoos. I was really curious about reactions, especially from the family. But except for rolling eyes and shaking heads, I didn’t receive any. If I don’t count comments on how I really didn’t miss it and how they hope that I don’t do anything else in the Netherlands. However, there was one person with a different approach. When I stayed in the kitchen with a friend of my aunt, she asked in a very curious - why?
This one short word was enough to give our conversation a whole new taste. We went from a debate on tattoos to topics such as the philosophy of life. This little was enough for her to find that young people really have a lot to say to this world.
What is different?
More than we think that we know everybody around, we tend to stick to the stability. It’s very difficult for us to adapt to a change and to accept new, more open-minded solutions. Though, it is usually forgotten that life is changing and developing. While one generation is losing track of it, another one is growing up with it, which makes it easier for them to adapt and innovate.
It’s not right to shut mouths of the young ones. In the end, it’ll force them to pack their staff and leave. The same way it forced me and many others. If someone’s potential is constantly pushed to the corner, they’ll try to find a place, where their word will have a meaning. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a different country. In many cases, they’ll just close to themselves and live in their own small world without the courage to express their opinions.
Because of all the reasons mentioned above, I have one big advice for all of you - respect each other! It doesn’t matter if someone is 20 or 40. Everyone has their own story. And sometimes those less mature can teach us more about life than those more mature. Moreover, they usually see the world exactly the way it should be. Furthermore, I would like to encourage all of you that are afraid to express themselves - your word is of the same value as the word of someone else. Maybe you haven’t gone through a lot, but you’re still learning. Everybody does. And mainly:
Nobody, NOBODY in this world is perfect!
So don’t be afraid and show how you can change the world. (Even if it’s just your own world.)
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