I have been reading an interesting book that is a mix of historical thriller and modern mystery called Labyrinth by Kate Moss. It spans history from the Middle Ages to the present and raises all sorts of ‘what-is-life-all-about’ questions. For me, it opened the question of multi-generational continuity—where dreams and purpose and life were framed from father (or mother) to son (or daughter). Whether it was building a family business or having your children be born in a space of freedom, the dream of a better life and more opportunity for the young has always been a central aspect of the American Dream. I suspect it has been a central aspect of everyone’s dream.

Maybe I am missing something, but I don’t see a lot of this kind of long-term thinking going on, at least not in the USA and Canada. Perhaps it exists elsewhere. But in North America, I think we’ve either gotten pretty much what we want and therefore have lost the need or will to dream or we have become resigned that it is no longer possible to have what we aspire to. While there are lots of ‘get rich’ gimmicks around and plenty of ‘get better’ books and programs promising we can be happy ever after, the underlying message seems to focus on convincing us of a particular way to get something as easily and quickly as possible.

But I don’t hear many saying we should sacrifice something for the next generation or the future. Some of the environmental stuff is starting to scratch the surface, but saving a few BTUs is hardly a sacrifice. I almost wish there was more of a demand on me to give up something meaningful for the betterment of others. I think this lack of sacrifice or even willingness to sacrifice may be related to the loss of community. I know that, while I value community, I am not really a part of one beyond a relatively small group of family and friends.

Without a strong sense of community, there isn’t a context for considering much beyond this lifetime. I can leave a few bucks to the kids and maybe do something philanthropic, like leaving a scholarship fund at some school. What to do with what we have is one set of questions, but what to give of ourselves that might matter is another question altogether.

In Labyrinth, the plot is for the good guy—who happens to be an old man—to pass an ancient secret (wisdom) from one generation to the next and keep it from the bad guy—who happens to be a beautiful young woman.  Lots of people die and at the end the secret is safe—or is it?

Isn’t there a ‘thing’ going around promising to be “THE Secret” and promising that we can all have what we want without giving up anything? Well, I don’t know if it is the same secret as the one in the book. But if it is, let’s hope that the bad guys don’t learn about it.