Day 32 - The X Factor

Generation X can be considered the Sandwich Generation - sandwiched between the mega influences of Boomers and Millennials, sandwiched between taking care of elderly parents and young children, and growing up mostly on fish sticks, hot dogs, and, you guessed it... sandwiches.

My generation, in the Western world, were largely latchkey kids whose Boomer parents were busy working hard to make it big; big money, big changes, big ideas, and not much time to raise their children. But, what Boomers gave their children was the key to independence and adaptability - precisely the skills required to stealthily move ahead in uncertain times.
 
Gen X has been largely ignored by hectic parents, advertisers and society in general. Except, GenXers are blooming in their later years, having raised themselves, creating livelihoods from scratch with an understanding that nothing is guaranteed, and an innate quality of  "living in the present". 
 
As I watch my father grow old, frustrated with the fact that he can no longer be where the action is, we discuss the philosophy behind what's important in life - To him, importance lies in what you do, and if you can't do anything, you are no longer useful. I counter with questions like, why do you feel you have to be useful to be worthy? For him, worth is in the bank account, worth is in power over how society runs and an influence in game-changing practices - this is something I understand on an intellectual level, but seems counter-productive to my spirit. If all I'm worth is on the outside, am I worthy of simply being alive? These questions confound him as the hooey behind self-awareness died with the hippies, it's just not important. Important for what? 

I've come to realize that my striving for excellence as a human being is not just mine - it is within most of my generational peers, and is being handed down to younger generations simply by osmosis. Younger generations have witnessed the versatility and perseverance of GenXers, they have seen how people can make changes in society by simply living well - having nothing to do with wealth and external power, jobs and material things.

We are now in a place of influence as advertisers, media, and film productions take note by reminiscing through their choices of music, fashion and the ideological grasping of just how we became who we are. Yet, GenXers won't be fooled into selling-out - just because we're no longer overlooked doesn't mean we're gonna sit on the throne of hype and edify the masses into being better people. Our collective view is that internal work is imperative to growth - it is not something you can buy, or read about for an ah-ha moment. If you don't do the work, you will never get it.

My generation was forced to do that internal work, there was no other option. While Boomers and Millennials take in and let go of trends, we've been steady, at-the-ready, and quite happy to eat sandwiches while watching the world go by. It doesn't matter to us what anyone else thinks. Life is short and unpredictable, fun and weird - and that mindset of  "what shall we do now?" is a quality that transcends all the fears about life and death. The X factor - it's been here the whole time, while the whirlwinds of doing whips around, the verity of being is at the core.







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