We live in a world where each generation (nay, each half generation) is progressing so quickly that we can so keenly pinpoint the failings of the previous generation. Every aspect of lifestyle is constantly being challenged and reinvented in a way that must keep us vigilant as we all strive into the future. One of the most contentious topics today is the status of the newest millennial generation - those born in the early 90s and 2000s, well into the information age and mired in all the technological offerings this world has in store. Some think that this generation is the one that will bring about the most innovation and actualization in the world and are thus nurtured with a certain cultural attitude. I, to the contrary of many younger parents out there, think many of these presumptions are incorrect.
In fact, I quite adamantly believe that these mindsets have actively hurt the current youth population.
So in the spirit of tough-love, looking to a new productive year, and admittedly inspired by a recent post by 
1. You’re Special
Source: Quotes of Daily
Nope, not at all. The universe will be just fine without you. In fact, you’re less important than 1/1-billionth of the living population and you’re probably towards the lower spectrum of importance relative to all humans who have ever lived. Your special stance in this world doesn’t exist just because you popped out as a bundle of flesh with a unique birth certificate and social-security number. Your potential special status in the world will only come if you do or make something worthy of that specialness.
Of course, I’m sure you’re special to your parents, family members, friends, and even some children here and there. But that’s a truly “relative” specialness, artificially produced amongst those who have to spend time with you. Once you step out of those circles, you’re just someone with an ego.
If the baby boomers wanted anything for their children, its for them to live a life unfettered by the historical anxieties and challenges they themselves faced. Most committed themselves to careers and built up pools of wealth which they used to buy homes, cars, better educations, and overall earn better situations for their offspring. This has generated some falsehood that the children are a product of so much effort and that they “deserve it all.”
Just like you’re innocent until proven guilt, you’re (supposed to be) unremarkable until proven noteworthy.
2. The World is (Supposed to be) Fair
Source: Pinimg
This is probably the biggest source of complaint, that things are stacked up against us / that some system is purposefully structured to ensure our failure / that my failings are not my own but the consequence of another.
I don’t care if you’re a minority, a woman, a member of the LGBTQAA+ community, an immigrant, a member of the domestic poor, a person ‘underrepresented’ in a respective discipline or interest group, a straight white male, a straight white male with blond hair, a straight white male with blond hair and blue eyes over 6’ height with broad shoulders and an executive level position who inadvertently feeds into the modern “patriarchy” - you don’t have it worse than anyone else in this world and in my opinion, to believe so is the utmost arrogance I have ever seen.
If you perceive there to be an unfair aspect of this world, work to fix that targeted issue. Maybe its education in inner cities. Maybe its lack of particular representation in a workforce. Real discrepancies do exist but the assumption that things are supposed to be or will be at some point absolutely fair is fantasy and in fact an incursion on others’ liberties.
The world is just not fair, and it’s your responsibility to operate within those conditions. In particular, a fairness of outcome is the most ridiculous expectation out of any social environment. Some people win the lottery, some fall in love on the first date, some build fulfilling careers and make an impact on the world, and many millennials assume that unfairness = unjustness.
As a side note, you are responsible for and responsible to no one beyond your own choices. There is no argument of “fairness” that should compel you to do anything according to another’s ideology and moral compass.
3. Do What You Love
Source: Not on the High Street
This might be the most tremendous and nefarious lie of them all, one that even rots the minds of those who tell you this. It’s understandable that this is a main parenting strategy of the 90s and well into the new millennium. Boomers had a lot more to worry about than what they ‘loved’ to do - buying a house, starting businesses, providing for families at a young age, (many) integrating in a foreign society for a better future, and the list goes on. That core bit of elusive self-actualization was swept to the wayside and our parents put it at our forefront.
But this a faulty adage by any metric.
First, you’re compelling people to act upon their immature impulses. Some people love eating chocolate cake. Some people love biting their nails or scratching their butts (I’m a personal fan of the 2nd one). Creating some hollow motto of doing what heartfelt whim compels you to do is a waste of human talent and potential. If people actually listened to this advice, we’d be living in shacks smoking joints to no end. The supposed comprehension of what we love is an absolute farce and leads to the same reason why we divorce at such high rates or outgrow our favorite pop teenage singer. If you chase only what you love, you’ll be stranded when it comes to a profession or end up cutting off an ear.
Second, love doesn’t guarantee anything. People telling you to “follow your passions” are offering half-baked advice, mostly from those who never had the experience or opportunity to do so. Steve Jobs wasn’t passionate about sleek design nor Elon Musk about car batteries. These individuals, often too romanticized, were/are obsessed, had a 100% work ethic, sacrificed and left behind a great deal, identified tremendous market opportunities, and threw their entire beings at their work. They created love out of hard work and commitment, just like meaningful relationships or hobbies or any form of small-to-large scale impact in the world. These are not just simple compulsions of love.
Instead, as more and more professionals are recommending, do what you’re good at. Being ‘good’ or skillful at something most likely entails that you will be compensated for it, that others will depend on and support you in your work, your reputation will go up over time, and you can eventually grind up into a fulfilling career that rewards more than just yourself for all the effort. What you’re ‘good’ at isn’t decided by your own emotions. It’s validated by a population of consumers that acknowledge your skill.
I know I know, many of you might say “well, what I’m good at makes me miserable.” On that note, I would challenge you to pick apart what exactly is making you unhappy doing what you do. I would bet a good amount of Steem that the dissatisfaction stems from your environment, your colleagues, your current responsibilities, and other aspects that are decided for you, not what you decide upon. Making some changes to avoid those negative aspects will leave you with an ability that is less fettered with unnecessary baggage.
Glass Half…
Source: Energy Management Collaboration
Full. I’m a complete optimist. I know that this post sounds like a long rant or rhetorical scolding. I treat these long monologue diatribes as self-discipline. I just don’t believe that people should be motivated by fibs and fairytales. I believe we should be encouraged to work hard, harder than anyone around us and build lives that are significant and dependable.
I was raised right before the onslaught of circumstances that led to the millennial generation, so I can sympathize with why millennial are raised in a way that was a part of my childhood as well. As the Declaration of Independence states as one of 3 unalienable rights, we are entitle to and only to the “Pursuit of Happiness.” It must be pursued and that pursuit could take more than a lifetime. No one is guaranteed or entitled to happiness without that necessary pursuit.
What do you think? Am I a nutcase? Am I being too hard on the world around me. As always, let me know your thoughts below.