New Seniors

In these tough times, there is a dire need for balance in business, finance, government and everyday life.  Since the Greatest Generation has moved to the sidelines, with the youngest of them being 80, the country has no one to turn to for adult guidance.  Has everyone forgotten about the Pre-boomers, the more than 30 million Americans born between 1930 and 1945?

Pre-boomers have the good fortune to learn from the Greatest Generation and used this knowledge to help guide the nation through the ‘80s, ‘90s and the beginning of this century.  I am aware of what Pre-boomers have done and what they are prepared to do, because I’m one of them.  These New Seniors, as we now call them, are all 65+ as of 2010; and the cutting-edge Boomers will start joining our ranks next year.

Since this has been proclaimed “The Year of the New Seniors,” it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get involved in taking care of today’s problems before things get completely out of hand.  But we’re not going to wait for someone to ask for our help.  The mistake made over the years was assuming that trailing generations were on the same page with us regarding basic values, work ethics and a sense of personal responsibility.  We believed they shared the American dream as passed on by those before us and were willing to do whatever it took to realize this vision.

While we were busy achieving our goals and raising our families, many in the Boomer, Gen X and Gen Y (often referred to as Millennials) groups grew up under the illusion that everything they were entitled to whatever they wanted.  This developed their current characteristics and mindsets.  Many pre-boomers believe these generations have a distorted sense of themselves and, therefore, of society.  Like it or not, the foundations have been laid and viewpoints established.  That’s the problem.  This suggests that trailing generations need to be reintroduced to the importance of moral values, personal responsibility and old-fashioned common sense.  New Seniors must be ready to be part of the solution and willing to take the necessary actions to get our country back on track.

In the days and weeks ahead, the role of the New Seniors will be to step forward and volunteer to help others by becoming mentors, lay teachers, business advisors, spiritual leaders, better friends and, of course, involved grandparents.  Every little bit of help we provide will affect the lives of many.  These efforts will not go unnoticed, because, I believe, deep down inside other generations are looking for someone or some group to show them the way.  Therefore, our actions will speak infinitely louder than words.

The specifics of the actions New Seniors will engage in are individual choices.  Isn’t that about as American as one can get?  The important thing is to use our life experience,  knowledge, core beliefs and love of country to affect positive change in our communities, schools, governments and families.  Americans need to see that our generation is more than willing to share its gifts for the good of the country.  After all, somebody has to be the grownup, and I guess it’s our turn.

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