Hats Off To Kids!
There’s a lesson in here somewhere to all of us.
Most or even all of the adults I know are talking somberly about the current financial crisis. There are a lot of doomsayers, predicting worldwide desolation and even the end of the world as we know it. But they are definitely focusing on the half empty glass, and it certainly isn’t cheering to hear.
Meanwhile, I got an email from a young friend tonight. She graduated from college last year, and has had a hard time finding a job in the current market, so she’s taken jobs as a waitress and a coat check person, and doing an internship in her field to further her education. Is she whining about the crisis or the job market, although she’s a direct victim of it? No, she isn’t. Instead, she wrote me an email about two ideas she has for TV shows, which actually sound great to me. I have no idea if anything will come of these ideas, or even if there’s a market for them. But her email was a real wake up call to me. Instead of sitting around like the ‘grown ups’, predicting doom and worse times to come, she is making good use of her time, learning something and being as creative as she can. (She’s 23 years old) and she sounded full of energy and good cheer, and excited about moving forward. Not a single complaint about the job she doesn’t have. Wow!
Another young man I know, also about to graduate from college, is pounding the pavements in New York, interviewing for jobs—and instead of complaining or being frightened, he’s excited about the interviews he’s having and willing to work in almost any field.
A number of my kids’ friends, talented, bright, interesting young people with good educations, are out of work right now. Jobs are hard to come by, but there are jobs out there. And what I’m so impressed by is the attitude of these young people. They’re not scared, they’re not angry, they don’t think the end of the world is coming. They are forging ahead, full of life and excitement, and making plans.
Two of my own children will be graduating this year, and they will be out in that same sparse job market with the others. But I hear none of these young people complain or express fear (even those from families who aren’t wealthy). I hear none of the whining and moaning that I hear from my own generation. What I’m hearing is their excitement about jobs, their confidence that things will get better soon. What an example they are to us. They are the future of this country. And our future is safe in their hands. With all that energy, faith and good will, this country will be strong for a long, long time. Bravo for our kids!
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Amen!
Yeah. I’m currently learning how to speak French and Italian. There is so much people could be doing besides worrying. Find something to do, and this mess will be over before you know it.
Ms. Steel, yes bravo to our kids. But, I believe it is much easier for the young to have positive vision. Do you remember what little fear or worry we may have had as young adults? How we thought we could/would conquer and rule our world? I think with age, comes fear and caution.
We look back and say, oh, I worked so hard for that 401k, now it’s depleted, I’m so much older, how will I ever gain it back. …
But, I do get excited when I see our youth going for the gusto, not looking for that instant gratification. They are our future!
Hi ms Steele. I dont really have a comment on your blog entry. Just very excited today, having discovered your blog, while simultaneously reading an old novel of yours (again) – The Promise. Big fan of your work. All the way from Cape Town, South Africa. Can’t wait to read your next book
I feel very familiar with the topic you’ve written about. I just graduated from college myself, in January this year, and I still work as a waitress, as I did during my studies. I live in Germany, and I’ve already interviewed for two jobs but I haven’t got further than that yet. I know the right job will come to me at the right time, so I try not to pass my time worrying. In fact, at the moment, I still enjoy working as a waitress, since the colleagues I work with are young, nice people, from whom I get to learn a lot. And now that I finished my studies, I have time to start working at my dream: being a writer. I’m working at the restaurant only part time, so I invest the rest of my time and energy in my dream.
Now and then I do feel a little down because I still have to live at my parents’ home, since I don’t earn enough to live alone, or because I think I should feel ashamed because I graduated from college but I still work as a waitress. So I do have these sad moments, but I try not to concentrate too much on them. Who knows? Maybe it is supposed to be like this, so that I have more time to dedicate myself to my dream of being a writer, which I have had since I was a little girl. I’ll just take each day at a time and see what comes next. It’s easier this way..
Ms. Steel, I admire you a lot, you are an incredible woman. I’ve been reading your novels since I was a child. Greetings from Germany, Anamaria.
Bonjour grande dame,
…tout l monde ne parle que de récession c est une obsession…je crois que les usa se sont dotés d un vrai leader qui a connu des années de vaches maiges et qui a utilisé sa créativité et sa détermination pour sortir… aujourd hui il a la première job des usa; il est président ; il ferait un bon sujet de roman lol
Continuez de nous écrire; il est si bon de vous lire…
Hi Danielle!! I love the blog, and your books…the latest ones have been fabulous!
I just finished my first book and am in the rewriting process…how do you keep the momentum up when doing rewrites?? It’s almost harder than getting the book out?
I look forward to hearing from you…
All the best!
Heard a rumor that you only type your books on Royal typewriter. Is that true?
Hi Ms. Steel…I just got off the phone with my mother, she is in Kansas and I’m in Pennsylvania, I don’t get to see her very often. She told me she has 77 of your books, she is very proud of her collection and really likes your writing. I have purchased most of the books for her, it’s been a special little thing I can do for her, (she purchased her first book of yours when she came to be with me after my husband had a bad accident in 1982). Thanks for this unique opportunity for me and my mom with your books. My mom will be 90 years old May 2, 2009, and she still is enjoying your books… She’s often thought of some how writing you and telling you so. Thank-you so much…It would be something if she could get a note from you somehow… Deb
Hello Ms. Steel. I must say I’m not much of a reader these days, but I do admire you and your talents. I saw the ‘Good Morning America’ show this morning and I congratulate you on so much success and the enormous joy that many people have discovered through reading. THANK YOU for what you do (ALL that you do), including inspire my 20 year old daughter. She is an avid reader and writer and you are one of her idols!
For me, I’m inspired by the work you do for those who live on the fringe of life and with mental health issues.
Sincerely!
Deb
Great post.