“Hello, friends! Today, I’d like to talk about something very dear to me: the way we engage with our elderly friends and family, and how the past connects to the present.
First off, there’s one thing I notice that sometimes creates a divide between generations. Talking about the elderly is one thing—everyone agrees they’ve seen and experienced so much. But what sometimes causes frustration for younger people is when the elderly speak of the ‘good old days’ in a way that almost overshadows the present. When pride in the past starts to sound like putting down the present, it can make it hard for the younger ones to feel connected to that history. And that’s a shame because there’s so much that each generation can share with the other.
So here’s my message: share more, talk less. When elders tell stories, it’s important to share those experiences as a way of connecting—not just as a list of achievements or as something to ‘measure up to.’ When we speak of the past, it shouldn’t be to diminish the present but to highlight how far we’ve come, and how today is built on those foundations. Every present moment is an opportunity to create a new legacy.
And to my younger friends here—know that the past is not just ‘brick and mortar.’ What we see as relics today aren’t just remnants of ‘old-fashioned’ ideas or structures. They’re part of a glorious past that’s the invisible bedrock of what we experience in the world today. Imagine: every discovery, every breakthrough we enjoy now came from that foundation.
So, what can we all do? The young can look at history not as something to bury in books but as a chance to reconstruct and rediscover it. Elders, let’s guide them on this journey of rediscovery. The world of yesterday doesn’t overshadow today; rather, it’s the soil that today’s achievements grow from. And when we all understand this, we find a beautiful balance between honoring the past and embracing the present.
Together, let’s bridge that gap, building mutual respect and curiosity. The past and present together form the story we’re all a part of. Let’s cherish both as we move forward!”
