Commentary: Whoever Told You Life Would be EASY?

Maybe I'm just particularly sensitive to people's negative moods, but sometimes it seems like people spend most of their lives complaining about something.

Much of the time, the complaints take some variation of the form "My life is soooo hard because _____ (fill in the blank)"

Whereas I am open to the possibility that I have finally reached that stage of life known as "grumpy old man," much of the time I find it hard to muster much empathy for the nature of these complaints.

Most of the time, I find myself instead wanting to ask "Where the heck did you get the idea that whatever-it-is-you're-complaining-about is just supposed to come falling out of the sky, just because you expressed an interest in it?"

It reeks of a "something for nothing" mindset.

I tried thinking back to my own childhood and youth, but I just don't recall ever thinking — or being told — that any part of life would be "easy." In fact, I remember my uncle telling me that most of life will likely be somewhat of a disappointment, with some occasional bright days thrown in... so enjoy the bright days!

As I write these words, I am aware that that there was a whole generation of parents who tried to imprint on their children that they "could be ANYthing they wanted to be" and perhaps were a little too "generous" in ensuring that their kids never had to "do without" the things they had to do without.

That's a noble enough thought... but choices have consequences.

As I said, I'm open to the possibility that I am missing something here — and to the possibility that I have grown "too old" to understand — but "what it takes" to do anything from "grow a potato" to "get a Masters degree" hasn't materially changed in the last 50 years... yet many today seem to think it should be easier than it really is.

Makes me ponder whether what has really gone out the window over the past 50 years is actually realistic expectations.

But don't listen to me! I've always been somewhat of a pessimist...

Thanks for reading, and have a great remainder of your week!

How about YOU? Does life seem "so hard" to you? What is so difficult about it? Alternately, does it seem like things are harder than they used to be? Why do you think that is? Or is it our expectations that have changed? Do leave a comment — share your experiences — be part of the conversation!

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Created at 20210720 23:13 PDT
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