Thursday, August 16, 2012

Born in the USA

Dear Daughters (and any other 20-somethings who happen to be reading here)...

It's an election year in the US of A and I feel like there are some things I want to say to you before November rolls around. And another November in four years and all the Novembers ever after.

The dialogue in America when it comes to all things political (and everything is political in 2012) can best be described as coarse. Don't let the tone discourage you from participating in a process that is your right and a privilege still denied to many all around this world.

When I was growing up we got our news mostly from the three main television channels and the local newspapers. Anchormen and reporters had opinions and political inclinations but the news was presented in a mostly straightforward manner, leaving the listener to form his/her own opinion. That's not the case anymore which is why I encourage you to seek out the truth for yourselves.

If you want to know how a candidate feels on a particular issue, read what they've written in their own words. All of them. Unedited and un-spun. See how they've voted in the past and what experience they bring to the table. Go to the source-their own books, websites and speeches. Read these words in their entirety and in context, not slashed and tweaked and sensationalized in a way the speaker didn't intend just to invoke outrage or create the illusion of scandal where scandal doesn't exist. If you see an ad that's far-fetched or hear the media try to spin something in a way that sounds ridiculous and unbelievable then it probably is.

Avoid bandwagons. You have a brain so use it. Think for yourself. So much of the mess our nation finds itself in right now is of our own making. Expecting something for nothing. The urgent need to keep up with the Joneses, no matter that the Joneses make 10x the salary. A sense that life must be fair and everyone should have the same everything whether they've earned it or not.

No matter what happens down the road always, always work hard. Follow our example, not that of Washington -don't spend more than you earn. There will be things you want in this life-expect to work for them and trust me when I say you'll appreciate them more so for the working.

Learn to save, and sometimes to sacrifice in the immediate for something better in the long term. I realize this is counter to the message our culture spews out at every turn, but I hope you'll be smart and swim against the current here. If you can't afford to pay for cable television, a day at the beach, or a Starbucks latte on your way to work then don't. It's not the end of the world. Food, shelter, and clothes on your back are necessities. 300 channels and a $4 coffee drink every day are not.

Plan for your future and don't assume the future will take care of itself. Planning and saving, and not spending every dime you earn, opens the door to something wonderful in your life. The gift of generosity.

Be generous. Support those people and charities closest to your heart, whether it's an orphaned child through World Vision, teenagers navigating adolescence in a Young Life club, or a cancer research doctor trying to end leukemia. I believe God gives each of us a heart for something so listen to yours and invest your money, time, and talents where you feel His prompting. When you give you get, in ways that cannot be measured by net worth or the bottom line.

Be informed...listen to the news or read it online or whatever the next wave of technology allows, but do it in small doses. Take time to mull over what you hear and decide for yourself if it makes sense. When you listen to a lot of news it's easy to feel discouraged and adopt an attitude of 'what's the point', but there's still a point. When I look at you I see intelligence and compassion. I see big dreams and youthful energy. Don't let the world (or an actor, rap artist, or political pundit) tell you what's important. You know what's important.

Finally, don't whine. Nothing is more tiresome than an over privileged nation that does nothing but complain, so don't add to the noise that fills our television screens, our subway cars, our too long lines at the DMV. Instead, smile at the world you encounter every day. We know first hand that life is a gift and time is precious. Listen more and talk less. Be honest, but kind.

Our country could use a little more optimism...don't let the 24/7-ness of the online world make you numb or jaded. America is not just a plot of land. She's people and ideals and principles, and she needs your tender loving care.

25 comments:

  1. Excellent, Joyce. A lot of sage advice here.

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  2. I love this! Thank you for sharing!

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  3. I think this should be addressed to not only the 20-somethings out there but to everyone. Thanks for sharing these thoughts! Love it.

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  4. Lots of good advice for anyone of any age.

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  5. I would love to see THIS post go viral!! Excellent advice. Thank you so much.

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  6. Excellent advice ... for readers of any age. ;-)

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  7. I love you, Joyce, and this is such a right on post for your girls!

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  8. Great Post and lots of info here. Thank you.

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  9. Amen! What wonderful advice for your daughters, for my daughters, and ALL of the younger generation who are so discouraged with politicans and the media. Well said Joyce!

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  10. Love this... This should be read at all graduation ceremonies and churches and on every street corner for that matter! This is so well said... I am putting a link to this post on my blog right away!

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  11. So good! Especially the "don't whine" part. I know someone like that and it is so tiring...
    Awesome advice for anyone!

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  12. Great advice for people of all ages--and you said it so well :)

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  13. BRAVO!!
    Great truths presented so nicely!

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  14. Great advice! I have a couple month-away-from-18s that will hopefully r3gister and vote this year.

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  15. Amen, Amen, Amen! Beautiful post which should be read by everyone, not just the 20 somethings!!!

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  16. Amen! I've asked my kids to read it. And I'm going to test them later on it to make sure they did. :)

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  17. I love this post!!! you should send it to an editor!

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  18. I have to admit that the commericals (since I had to watch them at my dads) really make me angry. How will our children learn not to bully when it is all over the television being done by they should respect! I certainly hope people are smart enough not to listen.

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  19. A. Thanks for this, I really really needed it.
    B. I'm back to blogging, finally! Missed reading yours and hearing from you!

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  20. This is great! A wonderful letter for all our youth. Excellent points. You should link this to facebook and any other social sights you are on. It needs as much exposure as possible. If only EVERYONE could read this.

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