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Show Dear JOHNT Presented as a Community Service Ser-vice from Intel-mountain Health Care. John Waterbury is Director Direc-tor of Community Services with Intermountain Health Care. Letters Let-ters and responses to the Dear John Column may be sent to him at: IHCH, 21st floor, 36 S. State, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84111. hi By John Waterbury Dear John: The kids of today are different from the kids in my day. Their attitude is different, their behavior is different, and their outlook is different. I'm not sure what their future is, since there are so many differences. I've been hearing a lot about teenage alcohol and drug abuse which emphasizes that these kids really are different. It concerns me that the future is in their hands. Unfortunate Prophetic Prologue Dear UPP: Since time began, the older generation has expressed concern for the younger generation's competence and ability to handle the future. So far, it appears their fears have been unfounded. Nevertheless, the kids of today are different than those of a few years ago. A study for the American Council of Life Insurance shows that the life patterns of today's youth will definitely be different than their parents. This is the life pattern they see. A child today will most likely: - Live with both parents for several years - Live with his mother after his parents' divorce - Live with his mother and stepfather. - Live alone for awhile when he's in his early twenties. - Live with someone of the opposite sex without marrying. - Get married. - Get divorced and live alone again. - Get remarried and live alone once more after the death of his spouse. What impact will this have on the future? Who's to say. But I guess I'm optimistic. . . sort of. Dear John: I've been extremely active in the community and have coordinated coor-dinated a number of activities that have involved a large number of people. But some things never change. People are generally very reluctant to do anything they don't have to. Nobody seems to care. Nobody seems willing to get involved. It's like I'm trying to push a chain. I'm getting tired and irritated. Resignation Pending Dear RP: Here's a favorite story of mine: This is a story about four people Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was a job to do and Everybody was sure Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it but Nobody did it because it was Everybody's job. Everybody thought that Anybody Any-body could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn't do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody, and Nobody No-body moved. Moral to the story: human nature never changes. 90 of the work is always done by 10 of the people, but don't burn yourself out. With the right attitude "Somebody" will get it done. Dear John: Seeing myself in the mirror would depress me if I didn't know I was going to get in shape soon. Of course a lot of it has to do with who I'm standing next to. Many of my friends are in much worse shape than 1. 1 used to go to the gym but it depressed me watching others my age, so I gave it up. But I'm going to start again if I can ever find the time. Proverbial Procrastinator Dear PP: This is a good example that you don't have to be an alcoholic to use denial. Call it what you will: procrastination, minimization, minimiza-tion, rationalization, etc. To some extent, we all suffer from the same thing. Dear John: Back in my wilder days of wine, women and song, I used to complain that I never got what I deserved. Now I say "Thank goodness" I never got what I deserved. I can see that now, but then. . . well it was different. As a friend of mine in AA said, "I ain't well, but I sure am better." I guess that sums it up pretty well. Nascently Maturing Dear NM: Maturity does not always come with age, especially when perception becomes clouded by alcohol or substance abuse. But it does happen sometimes. It sounds like you're on a roll. Keep it up. |