We’ve all been on the receiving end of laments from individuals older than ourselves about how things were soooo different in their day. In addition to surprising myself by now reading the editorials and op-ed pages in the daily newspaper (it’s because I care), I’m sadly now one of those people who rolls her eyes at today’s youth and moans about how it’s so different from when I was young. You know how it works:

“I can’t believe 10-year-olds have cell phones. When I was a kid we only had one phone for 14 people in our house – and it was a party-line shared with half a dozen neighbours.” or

“When I was in high school, the girls all had to wear skirts and dresses every day, with nylons and garter belts.” or

“Our parents never drove us anywhere. We walked or rode our bikes – without helmets – or we’d never go anywhere – and my one-and-only two-wheeler was third-hand.”

“I only had one winter coat and one pair of winter boots and they had to last two or three years.”

My Dad made a comment the other day about how each generation’s lifestyle is easier and better than the previous one’s and how that’s a good thing. It reminded me to stop whining about the perceived injustices and celebrate the improvements instead. Leaving home at the age of 17 and moving to Toronto by myself to start working for a living cuts no ice with those who happily live at home free-of-charge until they’re 30. Oops – did it again. Sorry.

They really weren’t the good old days – today’s days are ‘way better. Anyway, I would like to share with you one of my favourite Monty Python skits with four Yorkshiremen talking about how they’ve improved their lot in life. It always makes me laugh – hope you do too. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13JK5kChbRw.