What is the World Coming To?

I remember growing up and hearing my parents and grandparents say that the world was "Going to Hell in a handbasket." Well... I still have no idea what a handbasket is (Do you collect hands in it?) but I have to agree with the going to Hell part. With all the amazing advancements in technology and medical procedures, I am grateful to be a part of this day and age, but that doesn't mean I don't miss the simple ways of the past. Even for me, a mere 32 years old (Yes, I said mere.) I can see the changes, and they aren't all for the best. With the new technology, we are forgetting the basics. When was the last time you received a hand written note? Seriously, take a moment and think about it... It's probably been awhile, right? Invitations are now via email or facebook, Birthday messages are by text or voicemail and I can't remember the last thank you note I received. I'm not even sure kids are taught handwriting in school anymore. If they are, they are doing a terrible job at it, because this younger generation has the handwriting skills of a drunk doctor having a seizure. It's pathetic. We use technology so much that we rarely use our actual brains anymore. Now don't get me wrong, I rely on a calculator to do my math for me, but I could still use my fingers (and toes) if I had to.
And don't even get me started on reading and grammar skills. "b rt thr" is NOT a complete sentence. And what's with all the acronyms? I get it, they're faster to type, but now we use them whilst speaking?? I mean, WTF? I'm not even sure kids these days know what a book is. I don't mean a Kindle, I mean a real life, paper paged, actual book. No one even reads them anymore. Now they read the shortcuts or skim the electronic version. OR, they just Google it and find out someone else's opinion and claim it as their own. And coming from someone who had to suffer through "the classics" in school, I find this highly offensive. Would I have preferred to shortcut through them? Sure. But I am glad that I didn't have that opportunity, because now, as an adult, I not only have excellent reading and comprehension skills, but I can quote lines from literature and it makes me sound smart. (Not that I am stupid, mind you.)
But I digress... These are just a few of the basic skills that the younger generations have lost. There are SO many more. Dressing oneself, for instance. Now, I am all for expressing your own style, but there is a time and place for it. Weddings, funerals, work, etc. are all NOT the place. It's called tact. You dress (and act) in an appropriate manner for certain occasions. If you want to look like a homeless hooker, that is your right, but the rest of us have a right not to see it. And parents, seriously? It is OK to tell your children no from time to time. Like when your 11 year old wants a spray tan, or to dye her hair for example. It is a parent's job to teach your children what is appropriate. You aren't "Stifling their creativity" or anything by telling them that their underwear shouldn't be hanging out of their pants. Give them a belt and an art set and let them express themselves in better ways. We as a society have gotten so soft that we are afraid to upset anyone, including our own children. Well it's high time we got over that. Disappointment is a part of life. People will tell you no and mean it. You will NOT be good at everything you try. You will not always be accepted by everyone. People can be cruel. Learn to deal with it. You know why it's good to learn these lessons? Because they help us grow and learn. If you try something and fail at it, that's ok. Try something else. Eventually you will find your niche. People will be mean to you. It's not the end of the world. Those people will wash your car someday. Suck it up, toughen up and move on. Find people who are kind and treat you right and cherish them. If you never learn these lessons, then you will never become strong, independent, motivated and empathetic adults. Life is not all sunshine and roses and the sooner you learn to accept that, the better off you will be in the long run. Childhood is merely a stepping stone in life, so unless you want your 45 year old child living in your basement, playing video games and "expressing themself" forever, start being more realistic as a parent. I'm not saying you should be abusive or brutally honest, but you can tell your child no and that it's ok not to be perfect. Will they be mad? Probably. But being a parent is a hard job, and like life, it isn't all sunshine and roses. But someday, when they are happy, well adjusted, successful adults, they will thank you. Or at the very least, live in their own homes and do their own laundry.
I guess the point I am trying to make here is this: Life doesn't have to go to Hell in a handbasket. We can raise a generation to be proud of. We can BE a generation to be proud of. If we just started living simpler, working harder, being more understanding and using our God given brains, we could do even more amazing things.