TODAY’S LAUGH: When I decided to tackle grad school, I figured the generation gap would be painfully obvious. It is. When did college students get so young? I realized the other day that I’ve been married–for the second time–longer than most of my classmates have been breathing. It’s not just that I’m older than they are– I’m older than most of their parents!
And the other day I heard some classmates discussing what happened during the season finale of some TV show I never heard of. I felt totally out of it, but then I thought, So what. They don’t know who shot JR–so there!
But now I’m wondering, who the heck did shoot JR? I forget.
TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT: It’s good for us older folks to hang out with younger 
folks. Did I say “good”? I meant exhausting. And challenging. And I love it!
I’ve realized how much I prefer to spend time with people like me. People my age. People who share my culture, my faith, my values, my TV shows. I like to be comfortable. How about you? When’s the last time you connected with someone “different”?
It can be mighty uncomfortable “out of our element,” but the rewards are great. We learn. We grow. Understanding, insight, compassion and respect increase. We change for the better. The world changes for the better.
How could you change things up in your life? Check out a new group. Attend a different place of worship. Volunteer at a school. Visit a nursing home. Dive into the generation gap, the culture gap, whatever gap you can find. You never know how someone new will impact your life, or what good you might be bringing to them!
I may not watch the same TV programs as my classmates. I sure don’t know their music, any more than my parents knew mine. But I’m confident we’ll bridge the generation gap is subtle ways. We’ll find a balance. They have energy; I have experience. They have pressure; I have perspective. They love coffee; I love coffee.
We’ll get along fine, just as long as nobody tries to help me cross the street.
May you be blessed as you mix and mingle with someone new this week!