Share the Wealth

I just returned from a five-day adventure on the Gulf of Mexico. It wasn’t a vacation, it was work … hard work! However, I choose the word “adventure” because I’m very fortunate to have a career doing something I love to do. I appreciate the fact that I find it adventurous the majority of the time. I learn something new every single day of my life. I make it a point to do so and enjoy the rewarding challenge. Not everyone can say that, and I appreciate the opportunity.

The first leg of my trip took me to Tampa Bay, Florida, where I had the opportunity to work with students on the beautiful campus of Hillsborough Community College. I then flew up to Gulfport, Mississippi, to work with a very unique team of individuals of another generation. These fine folks focus on the continued efforts to restore life to the Biloxi area after the Katrina tragedy of 2005. Yes, it’s far from over. I’ll share much more about their challenges in future articles here on the blog.

One of my major lessons from this adventure is very simplistic … as are most good lessons. I realized once again that our very talented, technologically-blessed youth, Gens X & Y, have so much to offer the Boomers and Traditionals. At the same time, the latter generations are a tremendous asset, providing a wealth of information and experience to those facing the challenge of restoring this great country to its rightful status of world leader.

The challenge we all face is bringing the generations to a common ground where so much can be shared and everyone can benefit from the experience at a time when we seem far too overwhelmed by the chaos of everyday life to do so.

Here’s a prime example: YouTube! Here’s a short background of this current phenonomen. YouTube is a video-sharing website on which users can upload and share videos. Three former PayPal employees created YouTube in early 2005. The following year it was bought by Google, Inc. for $1.65 billion and is now operated as a subsidiary of Google. The company uses Adobe Flash Video technology to display a wide variety of user-generated video content, including movie clips. TV clips, and music video as well as amateur content such as video blogging and short original videos. Most of the content on YouTube has been uploaded by individuals, although media corporations including CBS, the BBC, UMG and other organizations offer some of their material via the site, as part of the YouTube partnership program

HERE is the valuable lesson. The above paragraph is very basic, everyday common knowledge bordering on the mundane for millions of our two younger generational groups. Conversely, the above paragraph may as well be written in a foreign language to millions of us in the two latter generations. They have no idea of anything noted in that paragraph.

The FACT is that YouTube, while being common knowledge to some and totally unknown to others, is a fantastic technology which can benefit everyone regardless of your age or technical abilities! If you’re familiar with YouTube, make it a point to share its potential with those are aren’t. If it’s new to you, check it out yourself or ask someone who is familiar with it. You’ll be glad you did.

Here’s an excellent example of its value. Here’s an example of the wisdom of the ages being shared with the potential of today’s youth in a very touching, short offering of what some of us have learned over the years. Visualize this wisdom as being shared by someone important to you who has passed in the last decade … if they could return for a short time, they’d probably share these thoughts with you. Take a little time to appreciate the wisdom.

Harry K. Jones is a motivational speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®, Inc., a company of motivational speakers who provide custom-designed seminars, keynote presentations, and consulting services.