How many times does the average adult play the age card on their children? And then, how many children immediately refute any unwelcome advice with a comment of their own about old age, senility, or something else that is age-related?
It is an age-old scenario, and it seems that, even if there is mutual respect between generations, there will always be at least some kind of discord between each age group. However, each one of us would benefit from paying close attention to the advice of our elders.
Some of the smartest words ever spoken came from Charles Wadsworth, when he said that “by the time a man realizes that his father was right, he has a son who thinks he’s wrong.” Too many people ignore the advice of their elders when it flows freely, and live to regret it later when they are no longer around to help. So how do we make sure that we take advantage of the wisdom of the older generation while we can?
Talk to Them
Here’s a shocking concept: if you want to learn from your elders, you might actually have to talk to them! Sit down with your parents, your grandparents, and other people who have lived on this earth longer than you, and take some quality time to pick their brains and search their memories. Every single person on this planet has a unique and interesting story to tell, and the longer you have lived the more you have experienced. Ask them questions and uncover all you can about them.
Write it Down
Have you ever thought about one of your relatives or ancestors that you never had the chance to meet, wishing you could understand what their life and personality was like? One of the most important things that any person can do for future generations is to record their memories with writing and pictures. Ask your relative if you can record your conversations, or take notes of the best stories that they tell and greatest pearls of wisdom
Learn from Past Generations
It is not only living generations who can teach us a thing or two. And just because someone is no longer living does not mean that we cannot learn from them. In fact, we can often learn more from those people who have gone before us. There are a lot of free resources online that can help you to put together your family tree and also learn more about your ancestors. Once you find your ancestors, you can start to retrace their steps and learn more about their lives.
Learn from Their Mistakes
While the older generations have a lot of wisdom to pass on, not everything in their lives should necessarily be replicated. There are a lot of times when we have a more important responsibility to learn from the mistakes of our elders. That does not show a lack of respect; you simply have to acknowledge that every life is full of good parts, bad parts, stepping stones, and learning curves.
If you learn as much as you can from the older generations, you will be all the more prepared to start making new mistakes of your own.
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Robert Cordray is a freelance writer and expert in business and finance. He has received many accolades for his work in teaching solid entrepreneur advice.
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