Last month, I shared in this column about a house being broken into and how I felt it was more important to protect the things we love now more than ever. I was touched (and a little disheartened) by the number of readers who reached out and had similar stories. While I find it reassuring that so many of us had the same outlook and thoughts of perseverance toward protecting our livelihood, I couldn’t help but think there was a reverse side to my message.
Yes, we need to be cautious in this world because there are people in it who don’t seem to have any respect for what matters to each of us.
Yes, we need to be proactive in advocating for ourselves and our future.
Yes, we need to accept that the world is changing and there will always be things out of our control.
But despite my slightly pessimistic and foreboding message, I can’t help but think of what every generation before me has thought in times of crisis. Did they also look at children and worry about what world they would be raised in? Did they also question how to equip their successor with the knowledge and power to help them fight their battles? I can almost guarantee the answer is yes.
What I missed in my message last month was this: Things will be hard, but fighting for them will always be worth it. Preparing the future generations to defend what is important to them and equip them with the tools needed will be hard, but the battle to stand up for what they believe in is worthwhile.
Perhaps instead of constantly warning how much harder things are going to be, we need to emphasize how important it is to enjoy simple pleasures so there is a feeling of resilience and joy in the mundane.
My main inspiration for these ideas has been my 2-year-old son. He has recently discovered a newfound love for bacon, and the joy and excitement bacon on a plate brings him is something I hope he never loses. Now, when he’s older and shops for bacon himself, he’s going to have to check the label to be sure it is an actual pork product and not grown in a lab, but I hope he always chooses to buy and indulge in the classic staple that we can all relate to in some way.
What simple pleasures are you holding onto despite a changing world? What joys do you want to pass on to your children and grandchildren so they may always remember that some things are worth the fight?
In the meantime, grab a frying pan and cook up some bacon. I hope it brings a smile to your face and a moment of simple pleasure.
