We used to live in a world where you had no choice but listen to a variety of opinions. There were not that many media outlets. You listened to the music on the radio, and watched the nightly news on one of the three major networks.
Now we can insulate ourselves with music that is only to our taste and news that fits our already hardened opinions.
The challenge we face is making certain that we do not get so comfortable in our own little worlds that we cannot understand those who are not just like us.
One of the most important things that I have learned in my like is that if you take the time to appreciate what others do, you will realize that it takes lots of different kinds people to make our world go round. Most of them do not get rich from their labors, but that does not take away from the importance of their efforts.
It does not matter if you are a roofer, farmer, waitress, high tech executive, or a doctor, what we do matters to lots of people. There is great value in being proud of what you do and doing your job well.
At some point in your life, you end respecting everyone who has managed to get through life with dignity. We do not live in a simple world. It is a great challenge to have a rewarding life while making enough money to be comfortable and share that life with someone you love and respect.
I read an article today that suggesting that a large number of today's young people expect to be millionaires before they are thirty. Maybe the lure of riches is enough to make them live to work rather than work to live.
I wish them luck, but there are more important things than money. The sooner you learn that, the better off you are. Hopefully the young folks striving to be millionaires will figure that out. Then again you have to get out of your own little world to understand that. Some might even figure out that their parents did a pretty outstanding job providing for their family.
There is nothing wrong with loving to work hard and being proud of what you earn for your efforts. The key is keeping perspective and not letting money or titles be the measure of the people you meet.
The government gets most of our money anyway, so the less you make the less they get.
