Other Ironies of the Modern Age

There's a well-known saying that is included in at least one country hit song. "Everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die to get there." At first blush, that sounds kind of corny and "country" but think about it. When I start think about the ironies of the modern age in the 21st century, a number of things come to mind. It will be my intention in this blog to address only a few of those.

Many people, especially younger people, want to be successful, live the dream life with a house, two cars, children and enough money in the bank to go anywhere they want whenever they want. For many, however, there seems to be a problem with that. Not all of those individuals want to exert the energy or put forth the effort to achieve their dreams.

If we examine just one part of that dream, we will begin to understand. First of all, relationships take real work and effort. It doesn't matter whether it is a friendship, a dating relationship, a committed partnership or a marriage. All of them take work. Unless, you or I are willing to make a daily effort to maintaining and strengthening our relationships, they are going to falter and eventually may fail completely. Isn't it ironic that those who claim that they want a relationship the most are unwilling to take the necessary steps to create and maintain what they most desire?

Stepping away from the American dream for a moment, or maybe not really, consider the corporate workforce. If I could only tell you the number of times employees told me how much they disliked their working environment or position, yet these same individuals were unwilling to step up to the plate and face their challenges. Or consider those who will conveniently make themselves look better at the expense of someone else who, in reality, may be "breaking their back" to improve the working situation for all. Isn't it ironic that those who complain the loudest are unwilling to put forth the effort to change things?

Many of us have probably heard the stories or the modern day parable of the man who as teenager thinks his parents know little or nothing about life. Then, at age eighteen, he is determined to show everyone "how life should be lived". During his twenties, he begins to realize that his parents may have been right about a few things. By the time he reaches his thirties, he may even begin to ask his parents to advice or guidance now and then. Surely by the time, he finds himself in his forties, he realizes that his parents really did know what they were talking about "way back when".

For me, it is ironic that generations that should have great advantages, aspirations and hopes seem less than enthusiastic about stepping up to the plate and assuming their responsibilities in society. I have often seen an "in it for the glory" mentality among the generation age sixteen through thirty. There is a willingness to participate or perform "as long as I am going to be noticed" for what I am doing. If the task at hand involves menial labor or getting dirty without any glory, then there is less likelihood to step up, express interest or a willingness to get involved. One might call this a "selective work ethic"!

All of us have choices to make, paths to follow, dreams to catch and goals we have set to achieve. The reality of life is that we don't always make the right choices, we do not always follow the right paths, we may not catch our dreams, and our goals may not be achieved in time frame we set for them. Such is life. Isn't it ironic?

~ DB Turnmire