Im a lucky person for many reasons. (In fact Im lucky to
be alive altogether since the Nazis wanted me dead and I escaped, and while I
was seriously injured in a bomb blast in Israel in 1948, I also escaped with my
life while several around me didnt.) But today I want to concentrate on one
particular reason Im so lucky, and thats because as Dr. Ruth Im able to
maintain close contact with so many young people. I teach a seminar at both
Princeton and Yale every week. A few weeks ago I spent a day at Harvard giving
several lectures and I also spoke at Virginia Tech, where 2500 students showed
up. Obviously young people enjoy hearing me speak, but I also get back so much
from them. Its a trade that Im sorry to say many people my age are not able
to engage in.
So my advice to you, whether young or old, is to approach the
opposite age bracket. If youre an older person, reach out to young people;
offer them your help, your advice, even your money if that helps cement the
relationship. If you hire a young person to come over and do some household
chores, youll not only get your chores done, but youll get to spend a few
hours in that persons company. And as for all you young people out there,
dont ignore the older people around you. Learn to appreciate the fact that
they need contact with younger people in their lives. And you know what? Just
as the young people who come to my lectures come away with added value, so will
you.
Read more about Dr. Ruth and seek advice at www.drruth.com.