Are the Good Old Days Dead?

Are our best days behind us?  Is society simply recycling the glory days of the past?  Are the good old days really dead?

Many of us who lived through either the '60s, '70s or the '80s --- or all three decades --- are asking those questions right now.

These are scary times today, no question about it, but should we run back to 'happier' times?  Can we really even do that anyway?  Seriously?

A bunch of us over-40 types were talking about how things like YouTube allow us to see anything from any year in the past, and how cool that can be.

I described how I could simply enter something like "L.A. 1966" and see videos recorded back in the day while driving along the city boulevards in 1966.

Seeing once more all the familiar landmarks, cars and fashions (from the exact time I lived there) is cool --- but a little creepy, really.

When such videos are put on full-screen while listening through headphones, it makes the memories a little too realistic.

At first glance, the experience can supply an initial rush of giddiness and instantaneous nostalgia.  After a few minutes, though, reality sets in.

Back to the 21st century with a hard slap.

Many folks over 40 say that things totally suck today.  Everything seems to be moving way too fast and spinning out of control to nowhere.

Are they right?  Does today really suck?  Should we run back to the past and stay there?

I don't think so.  I see these times as exciting and wide open for unprecedented changes FOR THE BETTER.

If we are externally controlled by circumstances or the decisions of others, then things totally suck.  If we are internally controlled, we have personal power.

Who cares what everyone else is doing, or not doing?  We can choose to love ourselves, our families, our neighbors, our world, and our life, regardless.

Like Carly Simon said in the '70s, "These are the good old days."  I totally agreed then, and I still agree today.

These really are the good old days and exciting days at that.  Why go backwards when today totally rocks, dudes?

If things seem to suck, CHANGE THEM.  You can, you will, and you'll love it!

Watch the following brand new music video by Paul Simon's talented son, Harper Simon, and take a quick trip backward and forward...

...then make up your mind to get out of that chair and START LIVING.