This isn’t meant to be condescending.
But it is concerning that those who actually do have wisdom born of experience are hesitant to share it, and those who do not are guileless about offering it. Further, that those who are younger feel more comfortable taking advice from peers instead of those who are older and more seasoned (put another way: from someone who has actually done something, over time, with success). That kind of generational separation is debilitating on so many fronts, not the least of which is spiritually.
Perhaps we don’t need self-help books at all. As one psychologist offered, “I don’t think self-help books are all that helpful, because if they were, I’d be out of business.”
So to all you Gen Zers out there, maybe what you need isn’t some help from a peer, or to take it upon yourself to offer help to others. Yes, you have access to almost unlimited information. But what you don’t have access to (and it’s not your fault) is wisdom. But you can get it through some good old-fashioned intergenerational mentoring.
This article originally appeared here and is used by permission.
