"With a Conscience" - "That was then...This is now."

 

        For over 40 years, my alarm was set for five o'clock a.m., maybe five-thirty a.m.  I would enthusiastically get out of bed, shower, get dressed, make-up and lips on and head out to work.  My mother knew how important it was to be self-sufficient and my father certainly knew that a work ethic was necessary.  My sisters and I followed through on those expectations even though we may have followed our own desires.  The foundation had been set and there was no going back...But that was then...This is now. For those reading on...I understand this may sound like a "generational" blog but persistence withstands generations.  Here we go...

    I can't help but notice that our job opportunities and ethic are diminishing. Our work force is getting very tired and worried. When I was ready to hold a part-time job, I found one in a "nano-second."  Grocery stores were very ready to hire cashiers and staff for the bakeries and delicatessens.  Today, we have self check-out.  We have automatic teller machines to give us our money.  Artificial intelligence is looming and causing a great consternation for our graduates.  The cost for a college degree has always been a challege for most, but it has become even more difficult to manage today...So I hear.  Even more importantly, what will our present job market offer our graduates?  The press is painting a grim picture.  Baby boomers like myself, never gave it a second thought.  We just got out there.  I worry about the next generations.  Will they give up too easily?  Will they become discouraged without understanding that success means doing things that are initially not what they planned to do?

    The reality is there are  those who have it easier and those who do not.  Whenever I ran into a "brick wall,"  I backed up and found another entrance.  It may have taken time, but the idea of having "no fear" helped me. I never pretended to have all the answers and I had no sense of permanency.  I did what I had to do when I needed to do it. I did not quit.  I wanted to quit but I knew I couldn't.  

After Covid, students were given a huge break in the public school system.  Their classwork was absolved and forgiven and their work ethic pretty much dissipated when they returned.  It took a couple of years for them to realized that they needed to find their work ethic again.  The grades were again, "real."  AI will now give them another reason to ask for an easy way out of their responsibilities. It's easier to take the easy way out then foster accountability...Or so it seems these days.  

        Some of my friends think this column is perhaps too dark.  They say it is the rant of an older...well...somewhat older person and perhaps there is some truth to that...BUT...My intentions are based on very current events. For the young, the work ethic has to be encouraged no matter what the circumstances are.  Persistence matters. Our paths create our own mechanisms for survival and everyone's journey requires a set of survival tools that helps see the hard times through to the good times.  The good times come when our hearts are open and gratitude becomes a state of grace.

     Never give up. Never, never never...