It’s monsoon season in Iowa. If you don’t know where Iowa is, this will confuse you even more since we remain in the heart of the U.S. For Iowans, it has been the year of the natural disaster including tornados, explosions and fires from lightening strikes and flash and not-so-floods. I wish I could say this was happening just in Iowa but I can’t. While the Midwest is making Costner’s Waterworld a reality, California is the embodiment of Firestorm (think Howie Long as a forest fire fighter); Arkansas and Tennessee experienced Twister and Texas just opened a very Mean Season. Tired of environmental issues? Then look to the global economy, housing, energy, the pandemic threat and other healthcare issues or the pounding we take each day from marketers. Like many who approach Baby Boomers even The Dark Knight is only coming for our money.
If you thought you knew where I was going, get ready ‘cuz I’m not going there. I’m actually feeling hopeful. Surprised? Despite all we face, my hope is cautiously rising as I watch people take care of and act for other people and for ourselves. Perhaps our years of waiting for a “government” that never came or from being thoroughly disappointed when they did show up has forced us to resurrect our once-admired American can-do spirit.
Do I hope that this resurgence of volunteerism and social activism is being lead by Baby Boomers coming out of their stupor of stuff? I certainly do but regardless of who may be leading the charge, I watch a gen-mix step up more and more with each event. Executives are stepping out of Corporate America to volunteer their expertise in non-profits and think tanks. Ex-politicians and oil barons are proposing energy solutions. All of us are finding alternatives to cut our expenses and save for retirement. More importantly, we’re re-finding our courage to make our thoughts known, especially thrilling in an age where expressing a difference of opinion is labeled as unpatriotic.
Perhaps we finally realize that no one is coming to save us and to our credit, we may actually be looking to save ourselves. Today, Boomers have added education and experience to our sheer numbers, an exciting combination to influence outcomes across the world. My sense of empowerment grows each day and I hear in my head Network’s newsroom anchor yell “I’m mad as #@*% and I’m not going to take it anymore.”
Check out our article, Volunteerism and get started doing what you can today.
Filed under: Perspectives and Trends | Tagged: Baby Boomers, social activism, volunteering
Volunteerism is very powerful. Our local senior center does a rummage sale that raises over $46,000. All proceeds go to non profit orgnaizations in the immediate area. The organizers joke that they have a dual mission: 1) raise money to support non profit organizations and 2) to recyle usable goods within the community.
Wow, what a great event and an idea that others can propose in their own areas. In this economy I can certainly see how you’re more than meeting your mission. I just had a garage sale this last weekend and was struck by the wide spectrum of people who are looking to stretch their paychecks. Keep the ideas coming and the good works going!