From the Editor
School’s out for summer! Across the coast and mainland, caps were tossed in the air in celebration this week. The Class of 2024 is off to make their mark on the world. As we applaud their achievements, we also look ahead, wondering what paths they will forge in an ever-changing world.
When my daughters graduated from high school, they received memory books titled with the infinite wisdom of Dr. Seuss: “Oh, the places you will go…” Ten years later, as I watch their journeys unfold and reflect on my own, I have a renewed appreciation for the truth in that statement.
What an amazing expedition life is! The places we travel, the new technologies we embrace, and the love and loss we experience along the way. If someone had told me 35 years ago that I could work 9-5 anywhere I like, rather than in a traditional office, I would have thought they were crazy. Yet, here we are, witnessing a transformation in the way we live and work. Imagine what life will look like in another 35 years!
With all the technological advances, the generation gap has never been greater. It can even be hard to understand many of the career choices of recent graduates. What exactly is an influencer? When I was young, that might have gained you popularity, but nowadays it’s a bona fide source of income. How can you major in social media? In the last decade and a half, social media has become a profitable industry and a huge part of our culture, for better or for worse. The differences between recent generations seem to be greater than ever before.
Although much of the technology has brought ease, I think it also puts a lot of pressure on today’s youth. I am thankful that when I was young and may have made poor choices, no one had a phone in their hand that could photograph or video it; then share it instantly on social media, potentially reaching thousands. I blush thinking about it! This instant connectivity, while powerful, comes with its own set of challenges and can be anxiety inducing.
I was recently explaining to my daughter how prior to GPS and Google Maps we would look at paper maps to figure out how to get from one place to another. If we got lost (which we did), we had to stop and ask someone for directions. She couldn’t fathom it, similar to how I couldn’t fathom how my grandmother grew up without indoor plumbing. Every generation struggles to understand those that came before it.
Despite our differences though, we all want only the best for our youth and recent graduates. They are our family, our friends, and neighbors, and our future leaders. Their successes will shape the future, just as our efforts and those of our predecessors shaped the present.
We at Shore Local offer heartfelt best wishes and congratulations to the Class of 2024. Your journey is just beginning, and we can’t wait to see the incredible places you will go. Embrace the challenges, savor the triumphs, and remember that every experience is a stepping stone on the path to your dreams. Here’s to the future and the wonderful possibilities it holds.
Peace & Love,
Cindy
