Kids These Days

Kids these days. What with their gadgets, and their music, and their television gimmicks, and their slang. In my day it was simple, you punch somebody out, they break your nose, you're friends for the rest of your life!

Okay, perhaps that was a bit exaggerated. I am not an old jewish man, nor do I actually talk like this...most of the time. But be that as it may, I think we can all agree that the next generation is quiet different. Natural, of course. Every generation should be different. But when an 11-year-old asks me flat out "what is a Super Nintendo?" I have to force my head not to drop in shame.

I'm only 25, but I can see a much clearer picture of what is happening with people who are 10-15 years younger than me. It's amazing to watch these kids think and interact with world. It's still strange to me that one day I will tell my kids about 9/11, and they won't react much different than when I learned about John F. Kennedy's death. Part of history, yes, but never able to understand the full impact.

I also see a lot of people my age coming down and insulting these kids, and that bothers me. Yes, I have made a snide comment here and there about how spoiled or disrespectful some kids can be, but I wonder, how is that helping?

A good friend of mine has two young boys, 11 and 7, and a daughter who is 2. These kids, particularly the 11-year-old, remind me so much of my younger self it's scary. They think very differently than most of their peers, and truthfully are much smarter. This puts them in an awkward position. On one hand, they want to connect, and are told to connect with kids their own age, and on the other hand, all the kids their own age are "just stupid!" (Actual quote from 11-year-old.)

I find myself laughing out loud as I write this, because I struggled much the same way. At 11, I was making movies with my little home video camera, while all my friends were outside throwing a ball around. I was writing screenplays when most kids were finding clever ways to make fart jokes. I don't say this to brag, quite the opposite. I say this to emphasize how, while it was fun being creative, it was quite lonely. I wanted so badly to connect with someone, but the ones who were older than me were in high school, college, married, living life, while all the kids my own age were "just stupid."

When I look at my 11-year-old self, I wish that I could tell him what I know now. I wish I could let him know that life is exciting, and it will get more exciting as you grow. You will meet new friends who are just like you. You will graduate high school and go to college. You will make music with wonderful people, and you will carry those people in your soul for the rest of your life. And yes, you will make it you California! Keep living, and keep enjoying who you are. It's a gift! Have fun with it!

Alas, I have grown into that man, and my 11-year-old self is long forgotten. But I look at my friend's son, who is so much like me it's scary, and so passionate about creating and living that it fills me with such joy. If I could be that voice for him, that voice I so wished I had at that age, then I know I will have accomplished more in this life than if I climbed Hollywood's mountain and claimed it as my own. I will have invested in the next generation, and love will be spread.

Invest in those younger than you! Your voice has more power than you realize!