The "Why" Generation

I have two sons who are full-fledged members of what is being called the "Y" Generation. Another name for them is "Indigo Children." For the past 20 to 25 years I have also attracted many of these young people as classical guitar students. They have been among my greatest teachers.

I like to nickname them the "why" generation. That question appeared incessantly as our children grew up. When our younger son was five, before he would go to sleep every night, he had to ask two "why" questions. One of my favorites is, "Why are pig's tails curly?" I never did find an answer to that one. Now that they are adults, they still use the "why" question, only in a different way.

As they matured, my sons and my students provided me with an ongoing chorus of, "Why?" or "Why should I do that?" The old stock answer I grew up with, "Because!" or "Because that's how it has always been done." just didn't cut it with these kids. I started to answer that question with, "That's a good question. Why should you do that?" Then I would wait for their answer and we would compare notes.

Have you ever really contemplated that question? Sometimes you have to listen deeply to your inner voice to get beyond the old stock answers. And I don't mean the critical inner voice that yammers away at us all day. I mean the deep, quiet inner voice of your spiritual essence.

As I contemplate the "Why?" myself, sometimes the reasons from my deep inner voice aren't the ones I want to hear. And as I learned how to answer my sons' and students' "Whys," I arrived at the point where I had to choose my old patterned ways of doing things or a new level of truth, integrity and discovery. Making that choice hasn't always been easy. However, it has brought me to new levels of awareness and responsibility for myself and for my actions. What a lesson to learn from some amazing kids!

My older son just left for a year's journey around the world. He calls it his 'walkabout.' Choosing to pull himself away from everything he has ever known and step into a great adventure hasn't been easy for him. Part of his mission is to search deep inside for a sense of purpose for the next stage of his life. "What am I going to do? Why should I do that? How can I make a difference in this world?" What an incredible rite of passage he has chosen for himself! And what a model he has created for others in his life. That of creating time to listen deeply to that quiet voice of his spirit.

He inspires me to return again to listen deeply to that quiet voice inside that knows the answers to the "why?"

Which voice are you listening to? Do you know why?

About the Author:

The combination of Sharon Carne's expertise in music and sound, spiritual transformation and her inner guidance has led Sharon to her soul work. In her workshops people learn how to dissolve stress and experience how sound heals. Her CDs offer support for those who are removing negativity and old patterns of thought and behavior from their lives. http://www.mountainrosemusic.com