JACK Weinberg is credited with the phrase, “Don’t trust anyone over 30”. The saying exists in several variants, such as “Never trust anybody over 30”.
Born in 1953, I started my life at a period when more babies have been entering the German population than never before. World War II, more or less, the end of the world (!) – as my late grandmother mostly describes that time – has ended eight years ago. It was not the end of everything. Really not! The world economic crises changed into another economical world wonder.
During the Sixties, we looked upon the youth culture of Woodstock as a symbol – of the power of music, the pursuit of self expression, the values of peace, love and community, and the rejection of “the establishment” – even in the midst of torrential rain and an aftermath of foot-deep mud.
I enjoyed our flower power peace generation with long hair. Yes, I confess, many times I was really very cynical about my parent’s values, and rejected anything that suggested tradition. Please explain: what is the meaning of tradition?
By the way, that’s one thing, which can be observed also in the Philippines for a couple of years. I have observed such changes since my first visit to the Philippines in 1976. Now I am here for good for 25 years already.
The slogan “Never trust someone over 30” had to be abandoned since I crossed that divide myself. Now, hopefully in the second half of my present life “68” does not look impossible young. And let’s be honest to ourselves: Are we not facing the same realities our parents did: Raising families, needing to pay for school et cetera, et cetera? We have held fiercely to freethinking and the untraditional ways our parents – shaped by the “Depression”, World War II and much more – never had the luxury to feel.
Those of us who have made good money hold fewer illusions that a big house and a Mercedes (or any other brand!) in the garage are likely to bring happiness. But guys, what seems most precious to us nowadays is not only career or success, but time and the freedom to do the things we love to do that hold meaning. Earning a job we don’t like might be painful; but isn’t it much more painful to wait for nothing while being fed by a friend?
Failed marriages, difficult mid-life attempts, something that might pass away a family – yes, I think, we know the rarity of solid and long living relationships with a partner, with children or with a hard to find friend.
We may even dare to speak the language that 30 or 40 years ago would have seemed uncool. Describe it calling to God or spiritually, but it would probably be the quest for the sense of life, and the hope and faith, that one exists.
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