Chasing Shiny Objects

We are the generation of the next shiny object. We are afraid to commit because we distrust everything. Institutions have failed us. People turn out to have clay feet or worse. Our I-pads, smart phones and other new technology has made us stimulus junkies with short attention spans. You interest me at first but no longer. Everyone wants to be at the happening place and at the same time if we do not find anything better we want you to hold our spot. Quite frankly something better may come along and we want to keep our options open.  This sometimes seems the defining characteristic of these times.
So what is an organization, church, book club, etc., to do? People always miss them when they’re gone but could not give consistent support when they were here. In an ever changing world it is hard for organizations to stay relevant and some do need to go away. But many groups that are relevant have trouble maintaining critical mass.
All of this is in part a spiritual problem. It is a spiritual when we are not able to be in the moment. When we spend our time wondering what else is going on we can never be present. When we spend our time wanting to be somewhere else we are not living in the moment. And the problem with not living in the moment it is the only time you can live.
It is a spiritual problem when we are a respecter of persons. When we are always looking for better company or more prestigious company we disrespect and devalue ourselves and the people we are with at this moment. If we truly believe in the inherent worth and dignity of everyone we can be appreciative to be in anyone’s company. We can find something to value in that person and the time you are currently spending with them.
It is a spiritual problem when we have the inability to trust. When we lose the ability to enter the flow of a movement or group we find ourselves in constant struggle with life. To trust does not mean to forget or not to verify it means to remain open to the possibilities of a group or person and the journey you are sharing with. Not to trust is to leave one lonely and feeling abandoned.
It is a spiritual problem when we do not value the good things life has given us. Looking for other places to be and people to know means we do not have appreciation of what life has given us. We often do not value the prophet in our midst or the one who has always been there for us.
If we want something to succeed we must give commitment, public relations, supporting leadership, and the courage to do it ourselves. So listen up now the cranky philosopher says develop an attention span for more than a moment. Appreciate the people you are with and not the people you want to be with. Show some patience because believe me they are showing you patience you just haven’t notice. Remove the chip from your shoulder and get out of the past so you can live in the moment. Trust again or grow old and lonely those are your choices. I said it and unlike a politician I meant it.