by Lisa Davies

Created on: October 21, 2008

Appreciating the knowledge gained from past generations? Is this a question or a statement? I will give examples and or reasons for both.

Here is three great loves in my life - I love children, animals, and the elderly, I have said this at least a thousand times in my lifetime, and am very sincere in saying so.

One of the colossal reasons that I love the elderly so besides the kindness,sincerity, and truly enjoy anothers company, is because I love to hear their stories. I have learned so much in my life time, and have recieved some of the best advice from listening to the elderly.

Now here is the catch 22, it always appears that we learn to late. Meaning that as a general rule of thumb, most of us, especially when young and thinking we know it all, don't tend to listen to the advice of past generations, parents, or the elderly.

If there was actually some way to put it in to words and print, how to get the youth of our day to listen to it's past generations or elders for their guidance, abut also to learn from it. Just think of the heartache and self-destruct that we could actually save ourselves by doing so.

It's really very simple and it never has taken a genius to figure this out, however, the advice or knowledge of a past generation should be quite easy for us. Why? We all make mistakes, that an inevitable part of all our lives. Therefore, if we could bring ourselves some how to listen to those that have already taken that road - should really be as simple as common sense.

But for some reason, we all as youth feel we must rebel and make the mistakes on our own. We must live the potential hell or should I say destruction, even though we know deep down what the "right" thing or answer would be to our problem or something we are facing.

Maybe as a youth we are so set in our ideas of "doing things our way", that we cant see past our pride in order to save ourselves the hell of choosing the worng path, or making a poor choice - when it all could have easily been avoided

Not only should we sincerely appreciate it, however we should live by it, it could make all the difference in our path, or if you will a form of our destiny.

A past generation's knowledge is priceless, and is far more worthy than high school friend, boy friend, and or spouse. Why - because they have lived, and sometimes in ways, that we can't begin to fathom. They have had many years to look back on their mistakes, and tell themselves; "I wished I would have done this",one better yet, "I wished I would have listened to my parents". I know we all have said that at one point in our lives.

Parents are invariably right, how could it not be? Not only have they experienced it, or something very similar, being our parents they want more for us, and they don't want us to have to endure unnecessary anguish or pain.

It really is benevolant, forthright and unpretenious advice, ideas, advice, guidance worth keeping, embedded in our minds and cherrished in our hearts.

My oh my... the heartaches we all could save ourselves by doing something that is not only simple, but effortlessly a no-brainer.

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