King Weekly Sentinel

Things we should be teaching our children

We’re all products of the education system. Some are recent graduates, others like us Boomers, are throw-backs to simpler times. But we’re all formed, molded and changed by those years in high school and post-secondary school. Most of us remember those times, awkward moments and yes, shenanigans, in high school. Weird sentiments in our yearbooks stand as testaments to times enjoyed, but forgotten.

You can’t always build a better mousetrap!

Our technology is moving at light speed and we’re continually pushing boundaries and coming up with innovative solutions. We’ve come so far in such a short span of time, almost exponential. And yet, in 2022, there are many contraptions, contrivances and yes food staples that have gone unchanged. It’s been said that you just can’t build a better mousetrap, noting that one simple device has stood the test of time and can’t be improved.

A sense of calm is important for us all

We’re all familiar with Winston Churchill’s oft-copied sentiment “stay calm and carry on.” In fact, we now see various iterations of it on our shirts and coffee mugs, almost like a call to action. Humans have been burdened by stress since the dawn of time and yes, my friends, that will be our undoing.

Adults find joy in the simplest things

Those who’ve spent any time at all in “adulthood” know the drawbacks and pitfalls. Bob Newhart once warned us not to run into adulthood: “it isn’t all that much fun.” Canadian band The Pursuit of Happiness (I’m an Adult Now, 1985) pointed out when we’re adults we don’t hate our parents anymore and we have our own reasons to drink. While we can sleep in any time we want, we don’t because there’s too much to do.

Putting our collective talents together

A funny internet cartoon pointed out that you can lead a human to knowledge but you can’t make him think. So true. Today, we are at the height of knowledge as a species. We have so much technology, medical prowess and wealth of information that it’s simply astounding. And what do we do with it? Not much.

Being true guardians of the planet and nature

Most of us should realize by now we are only temporary guardians of this planet. Our time is limited and yet our history, traditions and land ownership patterns have contributed to inequality, greed and a false sense of security.

We 50-somethings are the real deal!

Being older and wiser can have its advantages. While I still feel young at heart, I am closing in on the final few chapters of my life. It’s funny that when we Boomers think back about our youth we feel old. I remember our first microwave and colour TV. I remember dial phones in that weird beige colour. I remember heading to the dump on weekends with my dad.

Forced disconnect reveals our weaknesses

Stuck. No that’s not the name of a new reality show (but it could be. I got dibs.) The country-wide crash of Rogers services sent people into a tailspin. Many services were cancelled, and debit machines were down for a couple of days.

Our children are our ultimate legacy

H. Jackson Brown Jr. once said that we parents should live in a way that when our kids think of fairness, caring and integrity, they think of us. There are many lasting bequests we can pass on to our kids. All we can do is try, and hope that we give them the qualities, characteristics and moral fibre to be decent, contributing members of society.