Raoul’s 2 Cents
Millennials
Millennials. The very mention of that word floods people’s thoughts of irresponsible, spoiled, overly promised kids who are now full grown dysfunctional members of society.
That, of course is the negative stereotype (the video this week depicts exactly what I mean) and I would say it is fairly based on reality. Sad but true. A wise man said we have raised a generation of narcissists.
Narcissists are people who live in their own world. Who are obsessed with themselves and only see things their way. No use arguing with a true narcissist. What is worst than a narcissist? A group of narcissists! They are loyal to each other and ostracize independent thinkers. Majority thought wins.
Are you a narcissist? Do you have compassion for people and actually do something to help the less fortunate? Do you accept your mistakes, seek forgiveness and do you seek ways to improve? Do you allow others to share their ideas? If you answered NO to any of those, maybe you are a narcissist. Boy, do I need to pray for you!
I had fun talking to some Millennials today. I wouldn’t say they were narcissists. After I introduced them to each other, I watched the magic of Millennial bonding unravel. They compared rings, boyfriends/spouses and Instagrams. At one point they were actually conversing and looking down at their cell phones at the same time. Of course I had to take a photo. I showed it to them. They laughed and went back to checking their phones. I was totally fascinated.
It may be true that they are all who we say they are, but I did not feel any animosity towards them. I just loved them for who they were. They reminded me of my own kids. I may not have grown up as self-absorbed as them but I must have had major character defects just like them. We all have our flaws. They’re trying to find their corner in the sky just like the rest of us. As patient as my parents were to me, I will be patient with them, help them process their ideas into tangible actions … help them become the best person they could ever be. Want to join me?
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” — Romans 12:2
TGIF people!
Raoul
Joke of the Week
Thanks to Mike of New York for sharing this joke.
Naomi’s Puns
Sent by Naomi of North Hollywood, CA
VIDEO: Funny Exaggeration
Not all Millennials are like this — thank god!
Parting Shot
Thanks to Naomi who sent this joke.
People from all over the world send him jokes and Raoul sends those jokes back with his original sketches. 
Laer
February 14, 2020 at 8:21 am
Thanks, Raoul!
My wife and I got a good laugh from this. And is there any verse in Romans that isn’t quotable? I don’t think so!
Thanks!
Laer
Laura
February 14, 2020 at 8:22 am
Love the millennial story! So true, but I have empathy for them😌 I’m raising one
Laura
Tom
February 14, 2020 at 8:23 am
really loved that video and sort of fits the stage of life in some . Thanks.
Keep up the good work and cope with the millennials
Tom
Raoul
February 14, 2020 at 8:28 am
Sounds like you have a Millennial of your own.
Art
February 14, 2020 at 8:23 am
Happy Friday Raoul…………..sooooo true!
Have a good weekend! Go niners !!
Gerry
February 14, 2020 at 8:27 am
Raoul,
I enjoyed the “all drinks 10 cents” story; really cracked me up.
Come to think of it – one of my classmates is a Floridian, retired and enjoys going to the bars. I wonder…. hahahaha.
Don’t mind if I do join you.
I’d like to share this…
The Millennials
Growing up as a teenager, life then was relatively easy and carefree. Enjoyed a fair amount of autonomy but not without occasional debate and heated deliberation with my parents, on guess what, principles, virtues, conduct and character, you name it. Their definition of most of which were preordained and hard-etched in their minds, expected to be imbibed as the nurturing and guiding principles of my youth. Some I embraced, the rest were the essence of my petty arguments with them.
My inner self was always shouting, albeit silently, “…your time was different…”; “I’m the new generation…”; “it’s the calling of the times!…” I did manage to reason out to mom and dad “the calling of the times” clich?, which almost always solicited silent responses from them both. To this day, I don’t even know if they accepted my views against theirs.
There wasn’t a popular social term back home for our generation. The old folks would simply refer to us youngsters as “itong mga batang ito” [Grrr… these kids!] . And so back then, so to speak, I was the “millennial” from my parent’s point of view. Self-absorbed, quite cocky, know-it-all kid, but not quite irresponsible, spoiled or anything like that. I did measure up to their aspirations of a good kid with a sense of responsibility. Kaya lang, bukod sa pilosopo daw, matigas pati ang ulo {Although beyond being philosophical they were also hard headed]. I was young, with a lot of energy, adventurism and curiosity. There were plenty of exciting new challenges to be met. I was restless.
Then the cycle of life continues. I am now where my parents once were. Three grown-up kids, “millennials” I call them. I see myself in them. Life with my kids is generally tranquil. Occasionally, I’d call their attention on this and that, get them back-in-line sort of thing. I hear them shout back at me, albeit silently, “dad, our generation is different from yours”; “you grew up incessant on your own beliefs”; “it’s the calling of the times, dad”; “it’s our turn!”. Really, thought I heard those before.
And so I remain, the father that I am, cautious but supportive, a jar of wisdom cookies to be had if you will, and to an extent, a metaphorical rudder to help my kids stir through their lives, safe and sound. Hurry now, offer good while it lasts.
TGIF to you too., have a great weekend!