Free Your Generation

What’s the purpose of a generation? Is there a mantle or a mission? Some generations are admired for their courage, tenacity and future-thinking – they make a positive impact on the world or clean-up the mess of the previous generation. The Lost Generation and Greatest Generation are great comparisons. Often the political climate will shape what a generation becomes or is able to do. Sometimes the environment or timing just isn’t right to make the changes to progress humans to the next level… or does this really matter? It might be a chicken before the egg question. The question you should ask yourself is, “will your generation shape history positively, and how can you make a difference?” Over the last hundred years, no generation has been the same:

• Lost Generation (born 1883-1900). Also known as the Lost Generation of 1914 in Europe, is the generation that lived their peak years (20s and 30s) through World War I. Impact: negative.
• Greatest Generation (born 1901-1924). Also known as the G.I. Generation, is the generation that endured the Great Depression in their youth and lived their peak years through World War II.
• Silent Generation (born 1925-1942). Also known as the Lucky Few, were those that lived their peak years through the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
• Baby Boomers (born 1943-1962).  Probably the most well known generation, they were born following World War II, during a time that was marked with an increase in birth rates.  This generation has been associated with a rejection or redefinition of traditional values. Boomers are widely associated with privilege, as many grew up in a time of affluence. One of the features of Boomers was that they tended to think of themselves as a special generation, very different from those that had come before them. In the 1960s, as the relatively large numbers of young people became teenagers and young adults, they, and those around them, created a very specific rhetoric around their cohort, and the change they were bringing about.
• Generation X (born 1963-1981). Commonly abbreviated to Gen X, is the generation born after the Western Post–World War II baby boom. They value the earth and technology, but more importantly they value relationships.
• Millennials (born 1982-2001) Also known as the Millennial Generation, or Generation Y. Strongly value the earth. They grew up in era where technology was at the forefront of their lives. They prefer to avoid conflict  at all costs and seek out peaceful means to achieve objectives in their lives and globally.
• Generation Z (born 2002-2021). Still lots of time to define who they are. 

What your generation becomes starts with you, your friends, community and city. A generation is, ‘people born and living at the same time.’ Interestingly it’s the, ‘production of something,’ as well. We ourselves have the power to forge what our generation becomes. We can achieve this through hard work, diligence and forward thinking. A generation’s purpose is to add a new page to human history, positively impacting their generation and those that follow. So why do some generations thrive while others fail to rise to the occasion and make the world a better place? Is it because there is not enough freedom in the society to enable people? Corruption in society that impacts production and focus? Or the right environment to enable, education, business ans business to thrive? All those things help, but a generation’s impact on human history depends on the courage, mindset and abilities of individuals. What holds these individuals back?   would argue they haven’t gone through the process of identifying and working through their issues, many of them rooted in their family and passed down from previous generations. The family is the incubator of life in more ways than one. A family produces offspring, but just as important introduces individuals that are creative, loving and know their destiny. Those that have the foundations in place will contribute great things. If there’s a spirit of genuine love, acceptance, creativity and destiny in the family, the offspring will grow up to bring that same spirit wherever they go. If anger, fear, shame and hopelessness are in the the atmosphere they’ll bring that. They’ll be stunted and restrained from becoming the person they are designed to be. Damage from childhood is reversible, but it takes diligence and time on the part of th individual to identity, process and heal.

We all carry issues from our childhood, even in the “perfect” family situation there is u dealt with hurts and misunderstandings that can carry into our adulthood if not dealt with. Some more so than others. The amazing thing is, those with the most broken and difficult pasts are the ones, that if they work at it, that will have the greatest impact. Brokenness dealt with makes for pillars to rise from. Pillars are strengths that you gain, only through experiencing. Some stuff just can’t be learned, unless you experience it. A tough past, one of fire and suffering, can make for an extraordinary individual. The person you would not have been otherwise. A destiny is not always like a story we write when we’re young and act it out. Those are actually the most boring ones. The and individuals and stories that inspire and change the world are those of hardship, tragedy, perseverance and failure. Our version of destiny must die, in order for our real destiny to be realized. Our purpose in this life isn’t  about us or even our families. It’s about others… everyone. Making the world a better and more beautiful place. How do we do this when sometimes it feel like there are so many obstacles in the way? If so many others are for themselves, how can we rise above? Start a renaissance, that changes the thinking, the way of living and motivations in your community. The Renaissance that started in Italy in the 14th century started with individuals like Lorenzo de’ Medici, Niccolò Machiavelli and Leonardo Da Vinci. They sought to bring something new and extraordinary. You can too. Believe in something new, extraordinary and great. Believe in others and believe in yourself. Be forward thinking, creative – love and appreciate others. Be the change that you want to see in the world. Free your generation.