Multigenerational Halloween

Everywhere I turn, I'm hearing people talk about mentors, accountability partners, or influential advisors. It feels like everyone is yearning for trusted, wise counsel. This poses a wonderful and difficult problem. First, it's wonderful that we are learning how we can't do life singlehandedly. But it's also difficult to bridge the gap and open our hands and hearts on both ends.
Too often, people hold a badge of honor for their packed calendars. Quick texts and surface posts are serving as our relational barometers. On the other hand, those who have the time to pour into meaningful relationships don't have a true respect for those who are generationally or culturally different. I read an article recently that gave five ways to connect with other generations. It was based on the notion that our society needs to relearn the art of "relating" to one another. Since our current pastimes don't usually include "family-style" dinners, "table games," or "fireside chats," it's easy to forget how to patiently listen to the old tales of "yesteryear." Does that mean our mentors should be people who have walked in exactly the same path we are currently enduring so that we can simply gain a quick and easy answer to our problem? Not necessarily. But they should be people who are living a life that you admire, who are open to loving you, and who are willing to humbly exchange skills.
The article explained that, "Our modern, marketing-driven lifestyles have us carefully sectioned out. We get names like boomers, Xers, millennials, and Gen Y, and then the world offers us products and services geared to our specific demographic. But what is lost as we try to experience life and all its joys and sorrows with only the company of others in our age group? Connection. Perspective. And wisdom. These are the gifts of multigenerational relationships" (Fischer, Paige Porter, Real Simple Magazine Oct 2017).
Moreover, just because you are considered young or old doesn't mean you fit into your generational label. I happen to be on the cusp of my birth-year's nomenclature, as well as the line of my zodiac sign. While I could care less about these labels, I think it's essential that we see accountability and multigenerational relationships with mutual respect. My husband recently talked with someone more than a decade younger, but he explained his fervent respect for this young man because he recently traded in his iPhone for an old-fashioned flip phone. When curious about this millennial's unique choice, my husband learned that the young lad simply realized his need for margin in his life: margin between his screen time and his authentic relationships and respite. Wow. Don't judge a book by it's cover is a cliche for a reason. Both parties in a mentor-relationship need to see the need for receptivity. When our "elders" (for lack of a better term) snub their nose at the newest technology, or refuse to change their ways or learn something new, it creates a stumbling block for themselves and for those who desire their counsel. Thus, for the sake of wisdom-exchange, both parties must embrace the gifts of connection, perspective, and wisdom learned from their counterpart. When you can get outside of yourself, you begin to grow in new ways. If we never stop growing, we never stop connecting, and if we never stop connecting, we will stop living solely for ourselves.

It's been so interesting watching our street turn from the 21st century back a couple generations for the sake of cinematography.

Just sitting on our driveway watching a live film

When asked if the crew could spread leaves on our new grass so that it matched the season of the film, we said we'd only allow it if the boys could assist!