photo #1952788

Some people think the future will be decided in boardrooms. Some think it will be in church. Some actually think it will be in public schools. There's actually a few that think it will all be handled by CONgress. Some think it will be fixed by changing political regimes. The list goes on and on, much too long to include everything here. Yet, there's a handful that looked at this picture and felt it instead of seeing it. The power to change any/everything rests on porches like these all over America. The people I'm referring to have spent countless hours as far back as they can remember on porches like this, complete with those chairs. Instead of video games, social media, or TV, THIS was where you learned everything about life. It could be with parents and siblings. It could be with relatives. There could be visitors or neighbors. Lots of times, it was a combination including friends. You gleaned pearls of wisdom as well as humour. You learned how to properly communicate in a respectful way. Topics ranged from A-Z. Growing pains, financial discussions, relationships, religion, everything under the sun. It was truly a non-condemnation zone. When we were younger, some of us had the benefit of multi -generational inputs. There's not a person alive today that doesn't regret our failure to pay more attention. Trust me, there's absolutely nothing that exists today to take the place of being surrounded by people who have more experience, knowledge, and wisdom as well as your best interests at heart. Those who didn't listen to their parents and people on their porch growing up but sought input from others with questionable agendas are really lost now. It's not too late to get back to the porches and restart the heart of America the way it was founded. LISTEN to what your elders say, whether you agree with it or not. You can discuss things, but remember the ratio of two ears to one mouth. Down the road, when "the more you learn, the more you'll agree" strikes, you won't be bereft of that truth and knowledge. And, yes, I'm 71+, and continue to kick myself on a daily basis for not listening enough. Don't be like me. Throw it ALL in, sort it out later. Really.