Finding things we DO like about things!
Paul White's nationally distributed syndicated column, “Finding things we DO like about things!” is published in 22 publications across seven states. This includes the following newspapers and digital publications: Midland Daily News (MI), SFGate (CA), Seattle PI (WA), Connecticut Post (CT), Laredo Morning Times (TX), Huron Daily Tribune (MI), The Telegraph (IL), and more. In this week's article, Paul shares a thought-provoking message about searching for and finding things we like about everything and how to let that be the legacy our generation leaves for future generations.
Think about it. It’s a privilege to eat in a restaurant. And yes, that includes fast food.
After all, someone else cooks, prepares, serves, and does the dishes. Your only responsibilities are to eat, pay, and leave a well-deserved tip.
Eating out is a huge part of every travel experience and can add great value to any trip. Even at home, just making the decision to dine out can be an instant stress buster and fatigue eliminator.
Isn’t that great? It sure is, unless… you find yourself with that one individual who can’t seem to make up their mind regarding what to order. Every family and friend group has one. It’s like they don’t understand the rules of reading a menu (or menu board in the drive-thru lane) which are intended to engage the process that leads to the “eating” part.
Same with where to go. You ask where they want to eat dinner, and they respond with, “I don’t care. Wherever you want to go.” “Mexican?” “We had Mexican last weekend.” “Thai?” “Naw, not feelin’ it.” “Italian?” “Too many carbs.” “They have nice salads there.” “Too healthy.” “Well then, where DO you want to go?” “I don’t care. Wherever you want to go?”
Whether it’s the menu or the destination, both require a determination of what you do and don’t like. Some use the process of eliminating what they don’t like until they end up with the one they do. Others use the process of identifying all the things they do like and narrow it down to the one they like best. Note: Fun debate you can have at home—which process is quicker?
What led me down this “eating out instead of in” rabbit hole was a conversation I was engaged in where a 22-year-old person shared with me that they felt like their generation was really good at finding things they don’t like about a lot of things. I know… It took me a moment to process what they had said.
I began to wonder why and ask myself how I thought this may have happened… you know…. if it was indeed true, what had led him to feel that way about his generation? As we talked it out, I began to feel some guilt about the role my generation may have had in influencing this younger generation that is pursuing the negative thought process right out of the gate. It certainly is hard to experience joy and happiness with that approach.
I learned a valuable lesson years ago when I read that Tom Brokaw, who wrote the book “The Greatest Generation,” had put forth that although the generation of people that fought in World War II is commonly referred to as the greatest generation, maybe the actual greatest generation was the parents of those that fought. After all, they had raised a group of individuals who were willing to put their life on the line for their country that was fighting two wars on two different fronts, neither of which their country started. The U.S. suffered 418,500 casualties, and 670,846 were injured during World War II.
Indeed, you should pause for a moment and be grateful that they were willing to give their life or suffer injury so we get to enjoy the freedom their sacrifice has provided us today. It turns out they were fighting for what they believed was right and stayed focused on what they did like about freedom versus what they didn’t like about war. If it was the group of parents who really deserved the greatest generation title, what would the data suggest about the current generation of parents?
We enjoy significantly better health, wealth, prosperity, safety, bigger homes, vehicles with hundreds more features, better jobs, higher income, computers, AI, mental health support, greater access to everything, and the excessive accumulation of “stuff.” So much stuff that the US storage industry was valued at $32.9 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $42.7 billion by 2027. But data suggests that people from the greatest generation era were much happier than we are today. Ouch! Not having much to unite us since 9/11, we appear to be a divided country finding fault with anything and everything. Even when good exists, it’s mostly ignored. Back to my personal guilt trip. Has the younger generation been subjected to parents and other adults constantly finding things they don’t like about a lot of things?
Is it too late to turn this around, plant some seeds that seek what we DO like about a lot of things, and share a consistent message that leads us down a path towards happiness? It’s NEVER too late! However, a new foe entered the happiness equation. That foe is called “social media,” and while it had an opportunity to offer a way for people to stay connected based on posts that were kind, inspirational, informative, and joyful, it has evolved into more of a sounding board for people to shout at each other about their success in finding things they don’t like about a lot of things. How could we not have seen this coming? The good news is we can turn this totally around by utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and help upcoming generations become really good at finding things they DO like about a lot of things.
Let’s start with the current parent generation and form a "United States Team GOOD," embrace the ever-increasing power of AI, become experts at searching for and finding things we like about everything, and let THAT be the legacy our generation leaves for future generations.
Since there isn’t a single downside, let’s all begin today…right now! GiddyUp!
In addition to being a nationally syndicated columnist, Paul White is an author, motivational and inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, podcaster, and life coach located in Midland, Michigan. His new book, “The Answer Discovery – How to Change the World by Helping Others…and Ourselves,” is available to purchase today. If you’re interested in getting in touch with Paul, please submit an inquiry via our Contact Page.