Hemingway didn’t know he was Ernest Hemingway when he was a young man. Faulkner didn’t know he was William Faulkner. But they had to take the first step. They had to call themselves writers. That is the first revolutionary act a writer has to make. It takes courage. But it’s necessary.”
— Pat Conroy, My Losing Season
I just love this quote from Pat Conroy, my favorite author. It makes me think about all the young people that I have met. Young people who, upon being asked what they would like to do with their lives, have told me all sorts of things. Doctor, lawyer, teacher, astronaut and my personal favorite from a young 5 year old neighbor, a ‘mommy’. A good friend of mine takes great pride in telling me about his 5 year old grandson who wants to be an astronomer. My friend is astounded as to where this is coming from but he’s enjoying encouraging him.
The secret message communicated to most young people today by the society around them is that they are not needed, that the society will run itself quite nicely until they – at some distant point in the future – will take over the reigns. Yet the fact is that the society is not running itself nicely… because the rest of us need all the energy, brains, imagination and talent that young people can bring to bear down on our difficulties.
The most significant visions are not cast by great orators from a stage, TV or movie screen. They are cast at the bedsides of our children. The greatest vision opportunities happen between the hours of 7:30 and 9:30 PM Monday through Sunday. In these closing hours of the day we have a unique opportunity to plant the seeds of what could be and what should be. Take every opportunity you get.
The Valley Viewpoint 