Whenever questions like this arise, people offer their differing opinions, influenced by their experiences and what they value most in life. Some would rather go back to the old days, like many would say, "The good old days," while others believe this present generation is the best.
In my opinion, I believe I am living in the best era. This isn't because everything is perfect for me, but because despite the challenges and troubles around us, life has become easier in many ways compared to the past.
Looking back into history, we'd believe a lot of things have changed. In those days, our old men and women would probably believe their own time was the best for them considering how life was. There was no serious inflation like today, not many distractions like now, and people seemed to live their lives simply. In those days, there were more physical connections, stronger community relationships and people literally survived with little resources.
But amidst all these, work was done manually. They went to the farm even under the hot sun, washed their clothes in the river, trekked far distances to fetch water, and even went miles just to deliver messages or goods, and lastly, they spent hours doing chores that can now be done within minutes. Life was slower, tougher and physically demanding.
But today? Just look around you and see the transformation. Things are completely different. We literally can do almost everything online. With social media present today, we can send messages through our phones within seconds, deliver goods through courier services, sell our products across all social media, attend meetings virtually and even work from home. Can all these have been done in the past? Of course, no.
How about making use of electrical gadgets like washing machines, blenders, toasters, dishwashers, and many other appliances that now make life easier and save time? Sometimes, I imagine how amazed our old people would be if they saw the kind of convenience we enjoy today. My late grandma was surprised the first time she spoke with her daughter from the US via WhatsApp, and all she could say was, "The white people have made life easier."
However, despite all these advancements, this era also comes with its own problems. This is to tell you there is no era without its problems, they are just not the same. If we compare insecurity then and now, we would see how it is becoming more alarming today. I know bad things happened back then, too, even as young as I was, but they aren't as rampant as they are now.
There were kidnappings, fraud, violence and many disturbing things, but they just seem to increase to a higher level now. I could remember when I was in Primary five, there was a case of a child who was kidnapped but later found. Back then, it was shocking to hear such news because it wasn't something that happened every day, but today, we hear of such stories so often that we aren't even surprised anymore.
Things are really getting harder day by day to be honest, and it might continue to get worse if people refuse to do the right thing. Technology has made life easier, but at the same time exposed people to misuse it with greediness and moral decline.
So, if I am asked whether I am happy to live in this era, my answer is yes. I am happy because I know God. This does not mean I do not experience difficult times or feel concerned about the things happening around me. But what makes it different is that God's peace guards my heart and mind. This peace is what gives me stability even when the world around me feels unstable.
What even helps me most is that I do not base my happiness on what is happening around me because situations can become worse unexpectedly. Instead, I choose to focus on Jesus. He has been helping me navigate this era with peace and strength in my heart.
So, I am not disputing the fact that this era is hard, but with God, things become peaceful and lighter for me. And honestly, I am grateful to experience a generation where I can enjoy so many opportunities, comforts, and advancements that people of old never had the chance to experience.
Images are mine