Remember how good a newly opened box of Crayons smelled? How fun it was to have brand new notebooks, pencils, and maybe a cool book bag? (Or if you were like some of us with overprotective moms, a satchel…functional but highly uncool.)
Still, back to school, even with some butterflies-in-your-stomach dreading, also meant new starts. If you were lucky, new shoes and clothes. New books. New friends and teachers. Even as teens and young adults, back to school meant new possibilities and maybe a new direction for your life.
Of course, not everyone was so fortunate. For many, back to school meant finally getting to eat a few nutritious meals a day. Sadly, that’s still true today. I did not have to go to school to eat. My mother religiously packed a full lunch into a crisp bag or lunchbox (what fun to choose that!) and sent me off. For me, “getting” to eat the school-prepared lunch on Fridays (cheeseburgers) was a major thrill. This was elementary school, but even in high school, she still wanted me to take her food to school.
Now as a boomer, when we hear “Back to School,” probably what comes to mind is being careful driving in school zones. Remembering how much more traffic will be around during morning and evening driving times. Noting how the summer is nearing an end. You know, adult things.
But maybe it can also be a time for us to “go back to school.”
What if we did…but maybe we did a little self-teaching? Or at least sought out smarter minds than ours to relearn a few things?
For example:
Be courteous to others. Regardless of age, religion, culture, race, education, accent, hairstyle, appearance.
Be generous. With our time, our blessings, our talents, our resources, our patience, our smiles.
Don’t talk in line. No grumbling when the person in front of us is having trouble finding the right change. No heavy sighing when the waitress is taking a long time to get to our table. No shaking our fist at the obviously terrified driver on the interstate that is going to slow.
Be considerate. Maybe the neighbor with the overgrown lawn just lost a loved one. Maybe the rude receptionist is worrying about her son who just shipped off to a war zone. Maybe the distracted delivery man just got some very bad news.
Don’t be wasteful. Recycle, even if it means you have to drive to the recycling center once a week. Don’t use so many paper or plastic. Drink water from a glass. Turn off the water while you brush your teeth or shave. Treat Mother Earth as your friend.
Be good to yourself. Remind yourself you matter. Do things that make you feel good (and that don’t hurt others). Treat yourself occasionally. Go ahead and walk up to that stranger and introduce yourself. Have some quiet time to just be still.
There are so many things we could go “back to school” and relearn…you probably have some, please share.
We’re never too old to learn.
We’re never too old to teach others.
Today’s lesson: we’re never too old!
“It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.”
John Wooden
Loved your take on boomers going back to school! Great reminders to make this a positive experience. Not only by learning new things but also by being considerate and thoughtful.