Idealism of Young Adults
I’ve recently noticed some friends in their twenties become very passionate about certain issues, and I noticed that they use Facebook to share their stances with the world. I oftentimes roll my eyes at the thoughts, thinking about how it is a waste of time and energy, but I realized, I shouldn’t. It is hypocritical of me to do that; because at their age, I was an idealist myself. I took stands on issues, and happened to be very passionate and vocal about them too.
Nowadays, at age 30, I don’t really give a damn. I just want to live a happy, drama-free life. I don’t care about vocalizing my displeasures or getting upset about things outside of my control. There are obviously some things I could be upset about, but I’ve come to realize that it doesn’t do me much good if I have little to no say over the outcome.
I get it though. I get why they are upset. Back in my younger twenties, I was very much against the workings of the financial system in the Unites States (and the world); and to a lesser extent, the system of government that operates from within it. Religion was the other subject that could get my blood boiling. After endlessly fighting and arguing with my mom about it, I eventually exhausted myself, and realized I was causing unnecessary hardship on our relationship. I came to the realization that, in the grand scheme of things, it simply wasn’t worth it. Nothing good came from the arguing, only bad.
Upon reflection, I realized that religion for the most part is a good thing. It instills quality values and morals into people, and it also gave my mom a positive community to associate with. It really didn’t matter whether or not she believed in something I couldn’t understand. It had no effect on me whatsoever. Realization of the lack-of-effect also made me realize how futile it was to try and change someone’s mind when they are dead-set in their ways — and going further, how pointless it would have been even if her mind was changed. People’s beliefs and opinions are their own, and it makes no difference if they are similar to yours. All-in-all, the experience taught me to be more open and accepting to differing beliefs and opinions of others.
As an individual that read The Creature from Jekyll Island, the inter-workings of our financial system have been bothersome to me; but now that a fair alternative exists, it doesn’t bother me as much (thanks Satoshi). This topic really upset me in my young adulthood, and I felt helpless since there wasn’t anything I could realistically do to change it. All I could do was was hope and pray that something would change along the way.
Fortunately, that change came once Bitcoin and crypto arrived on the scene. To me, this demonstrated that the world CAN change for the better, even when it seems like it never will. This example made it apparent why I shouldn’t be so judgmental of others when the only flaw in their desire for change is the unlikelihood of it happening. The improbable is not impossible.
In terms of our system of government, there wasn’t much I could do aside from being angry and venting to other like-minded individuals. In my mind, the two party system is flawed, but vocalizing it with others never really helped. In fact, it alienated others. It’s a topic that’s seemingly impossible to change somebody’s mind on, and if you don’t share similar beliefs, conflicts are easy to come by. So, I stopped caring and paid no interest in the subject after I voted for the man I would have been proud to have as my president, and he received less than 1% of the vote.
After that point, I decided I wouldn’t participate in the Rebublicrat system any longer. I was no longer going to go through the charade of trying to guess who the lesser of two evils were; when their ideals and philosophies did not line up with mine in the first place. It became very clear that the president is/was going to be a Republicrat regardless of whether I like it or not. Once I accepted that reality, I wasn’t going to waste my time and energy on it any longer. My no vote would be my vote.
Truthfully, even if I did attempt to change something about it, I wouldn’t even know where to start, what the proper solution would be, or how to get there. Hence, I’m better off staying concerned with my own life and making contributions towards things I have an actual effect on. I can make an impact in my own way, and do my best to make the most out of life. It’s just too short to be upset about things outside of your control, and that is what I took away from this governmental source of frustration.
As a result of these revelations, enjoying life while following my passions and doing what’s in my power to make a difference is the mantra I’ve adopted coming out of my young adulthood. Sometimes, it’s difficult to remember this mantra when others are getting the best of your emotions; but the truth is, the personal opinions and beliefs of others don’t really matter much in the grand scheme of things. It’s not worth the time and effort to fight with somebody over trivial matters. The energy can be better expended elsewhere.
Upon reflection, I’m wrong to cast judgment over the young, idealist adults. No judgment should be made when all they’re doing is trying to make a difference. I was there too, and one day, maybe, just maybe, they will be successful with the change they envision. If they can hone-in on the how, rather than the why, they certainly have a chance. After all, who would have thought our financial system would ever have a fair alternative? I certainly did not, and it goes to show how the efforts of individuals can really change the world for the better.
In conclusion, don’t shut the idealists down. Encourage them.
