This question was directed to me by an early twenty-something man. I am not sure what he was trying to get at, but I do realize one thing (Okay, perhaps more)- this can be a confusing time in which many of the self-esteem issues of teenage years can resurface. Quarter life crises is one thing I didn't count on being a common factor amongst some of my peer-age associates. In part, I think it is due to the expectations of being a twenty-something professional in the 21st century. Stock options, later-stage marriages and families, career hopping, professional school before 30, running your own business and becoming a zillionaire before 30. We all know of someone (personally or not) who has participated in at least one of these things and we all know of at least one twenty-something person who has experienced a quarter-life crisis because they haven't "achieved" all of these things yet. What is this nonsense? How did it get to be such that I am looking forward to my forties as I expected to have things "made" by then; to know the secrets of being content professionally and personally? Oh, please! We're learning and adjusting until the day we die. Perhaps that is my accomplishment for my era of the twenties- I recognize it now and not as I am pressing 40. What a disappointment it would have been.
How did I respond to my junior peer? I smiled and replied: "It's great. How does it feel to be in your early twenties?" It's a hoot to know that at some point in just a few years, he may be typing a post similar to this one. Better yet, he might read this post and choose to avoid the hype in the first place.
God Bless,
-D
"Wisdom is better than weapons of war. . ."
Ecclesiastes 9:18
journey.x
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