It’s Important To Listen And Speak From The Heart

I Feel The Overwhelming Urge To Live And Live And Live Again

By Nikitha Mannem

It can be annoying when one finds themselves being nagged by grandparents: “Everything is so different now”, “Young people don’t work as hard anymore”, or even “What are you wearing?” There’s such a gap of understanding between generations that we make fun of and loathe each other for the things we carry into adulthood from childhood. The harsh line between people of different ages hides the important conversations that could be happening. While younger generations get caught up in the negative judgments that could occur, we skip the possibility that it could be profound and life-changing. Having deep conversations with older generations gives us a glimpse into a past not romanticized or straight from a textbook, but one that humanizes what happened and allows us to feel it all around us. Much like visiting a historical sight, immersing yourself in such conversation opens gateways to human nature outside of what modern society sees as the “norm”.

Walking down the first paved road, putting on family jewelry passed down from generations ago, opening a weathered book. These make one feel connected to the history of humanity. There’s a certain allure to the “old” that younger generations have; an undying love for vintage and reliving the type of youth that died long ago. However, all of this glamor is at the cost of real human connection.

Having a conversation breathes life into words, paintings, jewelry, books, and even simple pavement and stone. Items wither away and can only show you a piece of the larger story, a person can convey their truth in a dazzling way that brings back the excitement and connection of living life. There’s a spark, a memory, that comes back to life and lives a little longer, a memory which can then be passed down to another generation.