WINSTON WEEKLY^[1]

August 18, 2024

Vol. 2, No. 33

MOMENTS MATTER

Recent reunions of sorts have been enlightening and insightful. Those of us in our late fifties and early sixties are connecting again, not by Zoom or social media but in person. For some of us, it has been decades since we have been together. For all of us, these moments matter. Our trials and tribulations are similar and vastly different. Some have struggled to provide care for aging parents, while others struggle to get their parents to slow down. Some reflect on lives, loves, or careers that ended too soon. Others share partnerships, marriages, or careers that have endured multiple tests of time. Many recent conversations have involved shared concerns about the lifestyles and expectations of today’s high school and college women. In the 1980’s, many of us worked at least one if not two jobs in high school and college, drove cars that were not worth washing, and debated if we could borrow a dress for the next dance or event without anyone noticing it was borrowed.

Today, high school and college women often drive the newest cars, wear new dresses and shoes with a new purse and jewelry to match, and barely work. While there are benefits to not struggling as we did, the long-term impact of the “need for new” and relentless pictures and posts may have an unexpected cost. Even more concerning is the number of young women who expect their boyfriends to not only pay for dinner but shower them with gifts of jewelry and clothes. While several young men I know would like to date, some have told me it is not worth the time and expense. Add in the “bride tribe” craze, and one wonders why any young man would want to date.

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITY

If you know a young child or a high school or college student, help them make moments matter. If they have a cell phone, encourage them to take a technology break and do the same. For further inspiration, read The Power of Moments by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, or consider writer Anna Godbersen’s quote, “I’ve always believed in savoring the moments. In the end, they are the only things we’ll have.”

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[1] Copyright August 18, 2024. Winston Weekly is a weekly newsletter and blog by Alysen Bayles and is available at www.baylesandbruce.com or by e-mail at baylesandbruce@gmail.com. Please feel free to share with the appropriate attribute. Alysen’s views are her own.