An Open Letter to Millennials… Thank You for What I See in You

Dear Generation NOW,

There is a lot of talk about you in the world. Everyone is trying to figure you out and define who you are.

Here are just a few of the words and phrases that have been used to label you:

• The ME Generation
• Spoiled and entitled
• Arrogant and narcissistic
• Overly idealistic; actually believing you can change the world

What do I think? I think the people who toss these labels around spend very little time with you, and no time trying to understand you.

I have shared many times what I see when I’ve spent time with you.

I want to thank you for what causes others to deride you:

Your Optimism

You believe in the future. You believe in the good of people. And, yes you believe that one person can make a difference, because you have likely experienced it first-hand. Listening to you speak about the world gives me hope and inspiration.

Protect your optimism because the future demands it. Protect your sense of possibility. Without it, we despair, and it’s hard to change the world from despair.

Your Idealism

It is so refreshing to see you enter the classroom and the workplace with a “ready to take over the world” attitude. Although we offer advice and remind you to learn from those who came before you, your idealism is connected to your knowledge of the good that can be created when we create a more peaceful, just, sustainable and healthier world.

You are idealistic because you bear witness everyday to “impossibilities” becoming reality.

Your World View

When I was your age, I didn’t think seriously about creating world peace, the plight of the environment, or finding the solution to problems in developing nations. Thank goodness you are not like me. You are more conscious and conscientious than my generation was at your age.

Protect your optimism because the future demands it. Protect your sense of possibility. Without it, we despair, and it’s hard to change the world from despair.

You see problems in the world – globally and locally – and strive to understand, learn and discover instead of hoping others do something about them.

Your Impatience

The generations before you have been bottlenecked by corporate hierarchies and mounds of red tape. You understand the problems we face today are complex and yet need fast solutions. I applaud your impatience and intolerance for apathy and inaction.

And while the world around you searches for “best practices” or convenes a committee to consider the next strategy; you are unwilling to wait, and take action with courage and boldness.

Your Sense of Entitlement

You believe it’s your right, and indeed moral obligation, not to occupy the planet as passive observers. Thank you for the role you play in laying out a different agenda and model for what it means to be a global citizen.

Your only entitlement is your unprecedented chance to act on the injustice you encounter.

Your Leadership

You want to do work that makes a difference. You’re willing to lead the change. You don’t plan to wait until you become financially comfortable to pay-it-forward, serve those less-fortunate, and mentor.

You understand the problems we face today are complex and yet need fast solutions. I applaud your impatience and intolerance for apathy and inaction.

You dare to change the world, now.

Your Passion and Compassion

You are clearly so passionate and compassionate about our world at a time when all you hear is despair, cynicism and most adults talking about what is wrong and  impossible to change. It is my wish that you continue to be known for your perseverance and passion, for decisions based on what is globally right, and for working together toward achieving common goals.

Thank you for not listening to us when we tell you that you are too young, too selfish, too naive, too egotistical, or too optimistic to make a difference.

You are a generation willing to DO something grand and challenging. It’s refreshing, really. And courageous.

I’m passionate about how the world is changing and what that means for you. And from the bottom of my heart, I thank you.

With Love and Respect,

Angela

Art by: SuperDuperLlama

Angela Maiers

My life path has always been about teaching and communication. My twenty years as an educator and my passionate pursuit of literacy and learning, gave me the healthy dose of courage and skills that have led me through a wonderful variety of experiences, including classroom and University teaching, instructional coaching, research, writing, publishing, corporate training, and starting my own business.