Fast Forward
How do you change the pattern of thinking for a generation obsessed with instant gratification? From the world wide web to social media dating to dinner made in minutes, everything is moving at a fast forward pace. The millennial generation comes with a thought capacity that maxes out right around five minutes. Gone are the days of reading an encyclopedia (what is that) to write a research paper. Courting has been reduced to an IM with a laundry list of acronyms that change daily (WYD). And family dinners are ordered in a drive thru or nuked for 10 minutes.
So what does this mean going forward? The imagination can only wonder. My thoughts? We’re heading toward a world that moves life quickly but slows our thought capacity. No longer will your phone transcribe your text messages rather they will formulate your thought process based on your experiences throughout the day. Our computers will meet and date in cyberspace much longer than a physical relationship will last. Learning to cook will not be necessary if you can comprehend “just add water” and “press start.”
Let’s face it, with technology on the rise, the need for intimacy and individuality will be a thing of the past. If you are intrigued with long walks on the beach, the millennials can simply Facetime one another and add an ocean backdrop. Looking for dinner and a movie? Unwrap a “home cooked” frozen meal and log on to one of the many links offering up-to-date shows and movies.
The possibilities are endless with the young adult generation. Lightening fast is the best way to describe the thought process. If it doesn’t happen quickly, then it wasn’t meant to be……or was it? Young people around the world; sit back, buckle your seat belt, relax and enjoy the ride. Remember, it was said that slow and steady wins the race. Even if the race is not won, you may learn something new along the way.
Now, please don’t be misled into thinking that the recipe for success is rotary telephones and dial up Internet service. We have evolved. There’s no need to relive the archaic times in order to progress forward. We simply need to press pause and slow down.
Take some time to smell the flowers, read a book that you can actually thumb the pages of or just meditate. Whatever the exercise turns out to be, do it slowly and do it completely. It doesn’t have to be done at an accelerated speed. It just has to be done. Keep in mind that life is made up of experiences and tests. Don’t cheat yourself out of enjoying life. So instead of a fast forward lifestyle, let’s learn to pause before moving on. You will be happy that you did.
