Generations Blog

I have received a number of comments over the past week about my posting regarding the value of reflection. One reader asked, “Can someone develop the perspective necessary to thrive in life without taking time to think and reflect.” This is an interesting thought to consider. So much of our lives seem to be driven these days by outside distractions and stimuli that we have to work at finding times and locations to simply comtemplate the issues at hand.

Those who came of age before the advent of this competition for share of mind learned to sit and think about their challenges. Over time the right answer or idea would appear. This is not something they were taught. No one told them to reflect. It just happened, partially because there were lots of times during the day or week when they were out of earshot of radios, TVs and other distractions. They walked home from school, for instance, and contemplated whatever came to mind. Maybe they sat in study hall and let their minds wander while working on term papers. 

With the advent of so-called personal entertainment systems and personal digital assistants, anyone can remain connected 24/7/365. I’d be the last one to knock the value of these conveniences. But that said, I do wonder about those under 25 and whether they experience silence without discomfort. Sure, you may take me to task for a gross generalization, but take some time to observe their behavior and you will see what I mean. Yes, they can sail through minute daily decisions at 100 hundred miles an hour. It’s the ones with a larger scope and gravity that may bedevil them. After all, the most important issues of life require analysis, contemplation and reflection. I’m just not convinced that one can develop perspective while listening to Smashing Pumpkins and texting one’s friends. Your thoughts and reflections?