Crossroads to the Future

There are two visions for life in the future -- (1) that people get worse irreversibly and irrecoverably, or (2) they get better as long as they live.

Those of the first view, will obviously say that such a thing is not possible -- as they are living proof that people can only get worse -- and not that they are simply good examples of people who have chosen their path poorly.  Far more difficult and arduous, are those who have taken the road to betterment and improvement -- because they have to travel it alone.

The far easier path is to become less able -- because then one needs more assistance in life, until ultimately, one needs assistance just to get through their day.  The present course of society, is to fund and enable that deterioration and dysfunction, because only then, is one showered with assistants, and support(ive) services, until one is convinced, that is the road to success -- their utter failure to provide anything for oneself -- as the mark of a "compassionate" society.  

That is the difference between an enabling society, and an empowering one.  The enabling society, merely helps those who are worse off, and so, people inevitably do -- to gain those advantages, but it is ultimately at the cost, that they really do become less capable of doing anything for themselves.  Thus, they become entirely beholden to whomever offers them more assistance, until finally, they are at the complete mercy of it.

The other path is not even spoken of anymore, except in the disparaging thought that one could be so foolish as to think they could, or should ever wish to be truly independent and capable of fending for themselves, and making it on their own.  All kinds of fears, inducements, insurance and guarantees are offered to them to "get in line," and do what everybody else is doing -- unquestioningly.

This crossroad is summed up in the question, "At what point does one begin to age?," which implies that one is in irreversible decline -- and the future never gets brighter or better.  One is already "washed up," and incapable of living their lives competently on their own, but become more dependent on the aid of the government, to continue a miserable and marginal existence because they are no longer capable of minimally caring for themselves -- and even their own personal needs and hygiene.  Many in that condition, no longer are aware that it makes a difference -- but they can be kept alive in that condition indefinitely.

Thoughtful people will ask, "Is that a viable (meaningful) future for humanity?"  Or is that future so bleak, that the impossible question can arise, "Could there be another, better way?"  What do all those "retiring" people and people in "retirement" or "disability," have to do that is more important, than to make their lives better?  That begins of course, with one's own health and well-being -- on the most fundamental level of doing anything, and subsequently, everything -- and that makes a difference, so that one gets better, or simply worse by never improving -- but only repeating, those behaviors that maintain the diminishing status quo -- that demands more money, energy, and time, to get decreasing returns and results.

That most accept that way and their fate, is not surprising, but they should not be allowed to drown out the few who think that life in a very different way is not only equally possible, but more plausible.  But obviously, the solutions offered so far, merely feed into the despair that there can ever be real improvement -- because they don't make any more difference than fooling oneself that it does.

People often say, that they haven't been "so busy" since they retired, while obviously showing signs of aging (neglect) -- rather than one would think they would do once they had all the time for doing so -- to regain their own health and vitality because they are no longer forced to do what they didn't enjoy doing, with all its deleterious health effects -- such as standing up all day, or dealing with constant stressful situations and difficult people.  They then have the time and (adequate) income to do what is best to improve their own health and well-being.

So few people think that way that it is appropriate to ask, "Why? What is it they do, that is more important to do? -- particularly at that critical juncture of their life?"  Because by then, most people don't think it makes any difference what they do and think anymore, and they just have to do what everybody else is doing -- as a senior citizen.  Is that necessarily a person in the twilight of their years, or is that the beginning of living one's own best life? -- as is now possible?

It is not the young against the old, but the old against the new, that prevents the revisioning of life in all the possibilities of a new understanding and insight into this meaning and significance of life.