“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” ― Albert Einstein
In this work-obsessed world, what are we teaching our kids?
To be good citizens?
To conform?
Or, to make a difference?
I’ve been nose to the grindstone for close on 40 years, and the narrative is predictably the same: do a good job, get on and…you’ll be fine.
In support of what?
The same life as everyone else?
“What’s wrong with that?”
I mean, if it was so bloody fantastic, we wouldn’t still be grappling with a slew of environmental, social-economic and political issues.
I’m not suggesting that work should be a panacea for all of our ills but, surely, at least to our kids’ generation, it’s got to mean more than 9-5, work hard and retirement.
What’s (really) missing?
Bravery.
Leadership.
Hutzpah.
Humility.
A higher purpose.
People who are willing to speak out.
But in the end, it’s you and me that will make all the difference. For me, that means continuing to question at home, at work and with anyone who will listen, why we continue to be seduced by the dominant, capitalist narrative and sharing that, where appropriate, with my kids.
Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash