The Leading Edge: What's Your Legacy?

I often hear people say things like,

"I'm worried about kids today."

And I get where they are coming from. Take a walk through any restaurant or outdoor mall, and you will spot a bunch of "ne'er do wells" with their crazy hair (not unlike my wild locks in this video) and faces stuck in their phones. Do they even know how to make eye contact? Talk to each other? It's enough to make this aging Gen X-er want to shake his fist in the air and yell,

"Stay out of my yard!"

But I shouldn't do that.

Because the truth is, I was once a knuckleheaded teenager who thought he knew everything. I lived for driving my car, hanging out with my friends, and shenanigans. I LOVED shenanigans! (C'mon! Help me bring that word back!) I had it all figured out.

You know what else I had?

I had mentors.

Dave Moncrief. Tom Pipal. Susan Chesnut. Roger Cude. Darcy Melendez.

These were all people that saw beyond my youth and inexperience and nurtured my ideas. They invested time in me. They modeled the way for me. They gave me grace. And the next generation needs the same from me.

Even though I may not fully understand the youth around me, there is no doubt they are strong and capable. Just like the generations who came before them. Generations like ours who followed in the footsteps of other wise, experienced people.

I think it's time for me to re-invest. And maybe you can, too?