**And What the Wisdom of Past Generations Can Teach Us.**

When I think back to my childhood, I have vivid memories of weekends spent at my grandparents’ house. The scenes are still so clear in my mind: my grandfather, on his knees in the flower bed, planting bulbs; or perched up a tree collecting fruit. I’d excitedly hop in the wheelbarrow as he carried grass cuttings and leaves to the compost heap. I’d help as best I could, but the real work was always left to him. For hours on end, day after day, he would be out in his garden, labouring with patience, dedication, and an admirable resilience.

I would watch, fascinated by the ease with which he worked through what seemed like gruelling physical tasks. It wasn't just the hard labour; it was the spirit in which he approached it. He took pride in every plant, every tree, and every plot of land he cultivated. But, as I grew older and found myself in charge of my own garden, I realised how exhausting just an hour of gardening was. My teenage son, too, struggles to make it through the simple task of cutting the grass, and needs to take a break halfway in, to ‘chill’! How did my grandfather manage such resilience, working hard physically well into his 80s and 90s?

The answer may lie in the shift in how we live, and work today compared to previous generations.

The Impact of Technology on Physical Resilience

It’s easy to point to technology as the main culprit. Today, we are surrounded by appliances, tools, and devices that make our lives easier but also require less effort on our part. We rely on the push of a button, the click of a screen, and the hum of machines to do the work our grandparents did with their hands and backs. From washing machines and vacuum cleaners to self-driving cars and smart thermostats, technology has fundamentally reshaped how we approach daily tasks.

**How did my grandfather manage such resilience, working hard physically well into his 80s and 90s?**

But beyond the physical implications of this shift, there’s a psychological impact that we often overlook. As we spend more time indoors and more hours seated in front of screens, the lack of physical exertion is compounded by a lack of mental and emotional engagement. And yet, despite fewer responsibilities and more conveniences, many of us feel more stressed and anxious than ever.

Purpose Through Hard Work

Why, then, did my grandfather put so much effort into his garden? What drove him to dedicate so many hours to his garden? The answer, I believe, lies in the sense of purpose that hard work gave him. As he transitioned into retirement, which was only partly true as he still did consultancy work, the garden became more than just a hobby; it became a vital part of his identity. It offered him structure, pride, and, most importantly, a deep sense of fulfilment. In the process, he gave me a timeless lesson: hard work doesn’t always yield immediate rewards, but it brings a sense of accomplishment that is invaluable.

Make it stand out

**Life, as my grandfather showed me, should have highs and lows, challenges and triumphs.**

When we put effort into something, whether it’s a physical task or an intellectual pursuit, we gain an appreciation for it. We start to value our downtime because it feels earned. Life, as my grandfather showed me, should have highs and lows, challenges and triumphs. Without them, we miss out on the growth that hard work brings. We learn persistence. We develop patience. And, most importantly, we understand the satisfaction of seeing a job through to completion.

The Power of Quiet Time and Human Connection

The world has changed dramatically and so have the ways we interact with each other. I remember Sundays spent at my grandparents’ house, starting with a quiet church service followed by a roast lunch. During the service, we were forced to sit still and reflect. For a child, this might seem like wasted time, but looking back, I now understand that this quiet time allowed me to simply ‘be’. There were no distractions, no digital devices to pull my attention away. I spent my time either daydreaming, counting the stained glass windowpanes or observing the world around me. Perhaps, more importantly, I had time to reflect and recharge mentally.

Today, we rarely experience this kind of stillness. Instead, we fill our moments of downtime with scrolling, checking emails, and jumping from one distraction to another. We no longer know what to do with ourselves in the absence of constant stimuli. But the wisdom passed down by older generations taught me that periods of inactivity, far from being wasted, offer invaluable opportunities for creativity, reflection, and connection.

We fill our moments of downtime with scrolling, checking emails, and jumping from one distraction to another.

After church, we would return to my grandparents' home where we would spend the afternoon gardening, baking, or playing cards. There was no rush. We weren’t worried about being anywhere else or doing anything else. The absence of digital distractions allowed me to truly listen to my grandparents. They taught me to identify flowers, trees, and plants in the garden. I learned to bake some of my grandmother’s beloved recipes. But more than that, I heard stories about our ancestors, life lessons they had learned over the years, and the values that shaped their decisions. I was taught to have respect for them and for the knowledge they carried.

Learning from Different Perspectives

Of course, my grandparents were not perfect. My grandfather, raised in a time when discipline and obedience were paramount, held views that were sometimes outdated and even misguided. But those perspectives, however imperfect, were valuable because they taught me that we must understand and appreciate differing viewpoints. Life is not always black and white, and much can be learned from examining the past with a critical eye.

In our rush to modernize, we often overlook the survival skills, traditions, and knowledge that past generations passed down. Today, we have instant access to knowledge through the internet and apps like Google and ChatGPT. But what happens if these tools are no longer available? What if a disaster strikes, and we are cut off from the virtual world? The practical skills that my grandparents knew, like sewing, fixing things around the house, growing food, or using herbal remedies, would be invaluable in such situations. These soft skills, passed down through generations, are more than just hobbies or quaint traditions—they are essential survival tools.

Reviving the Community Spirit

Not everyone is fortunate enough to have grandparents or older generations nearby. And in an age where families are often spread out and busy lifestyles dominate, opportunities for intergenerational connections are fewer than ever. Yet, it is in community that the wisdom of older generations can be passed down and preserved.

We can recreate the kind of connections I had with my grandparents in the wider community. By networking locally and fostering relationships with people of all ages, we can share knowledge, skills, and support. These interactions could address common issues like local business opportunities, environmental projects, youth projects, work experience, facilitating team sports and community events. By bringing people together, we not only strengthen the fabric of our neighbourhoods but also create solutions to common challenges.

Instead of living our lives in isolation or through digital screens, we can reconnect with the people around us—across generations. The wisdom of the past, combined with the energy and ideas of youth, could create a vibrant and resilient community. The shift away from online communities and toward real-world interactions may be the key to restoring balance in our lives, improving our mental and physical health, and cultivating a deeper sense of purpose and belonging.

**The wisdom of the past, combined with the energy and ideas of youth, could create a vibrant and resilient community.**

Conclusion: Bridging Generations for a Balanced Future

As I reflect on the wisdom of my grandparents, I realize that there’s so much we can learn from the past—if we’re open to it. The resilience, work ethic, and sense of purpose that older generations embodied are traits we can and should strive to nurture in ourselves today. Whether it’s through physical labour, community involvement, or simply taking time for quiet reflection, these practices not only improve our lives—they can also help us live more fulfilling, connected, and balanced lives.

Local community can help preserve the connection between generations. If we look outwards and think less about ourselves, but about others and the common good, we can begin to rebuild the bonds that have weakened over time. By fostering relationships across age groups, we create a space for mutual learning, support, and collaboration. In this way, we not only preserve the wisdom of the past but also strengthen the fabric of our present and future. When we invest in each other—when we prioritize shared values and collective well-being—we create a stronger, more resilient society where each generation has something meaningful to offer.

In this interconnectedness, we find the true power of community: a balance of purpose, connection, and growth that transcends time. So, let’s step outside the digital world, engage with those around us, and remember that the wisdom of past generations has the power to guide us toward a more balanced and fulfilling future.