If youth knew, if age could...any guesses who said that? I'll come to that later but the sentiment somehow resonates with me. Oh, I don't think it is exactly true but it s worth considering. I find it interesting that young people have this innate ability to hope for a better world...a better condition for mankind. They see a world that could be better and don't stop to think about how...they just do. Age, and by that I would have to include myself at this point, often knows to much. They are aware of reality. They are limited by too much experience. They know. They just can't. Age may know what needs to be done and might even share the dream for a better human condition, but knowledge sometimes gets in the way of action...especially exuberant action.

I have the wonderful opportunity to work some of the best young people I have ever met. They are bright, they are energetic, they are committed to doing great things. They have great ideas, they have no shortage of ideas. But sometimes we need to just listen. But age knows too much and can't forget and often goes back to what has been instead of going forward to what could be.

We often frame our responses to youth's ideas with the thought that because we know more we are better. But sometimes, just maybe, the right answer is not what we have done or some derivative of what we have done. Maybe the right answer is in the mind of someone who has no baggage of knowledge, no hesitation to try something different because to them it is not different.

This week I get to spend time with this group of brilliant people. I get to listen to their ideas. I pray that I listen...that I remain open to ideas, that I leave my baggage of past experience at the door and open up to seeing their views, looking at their world through their eyes.

But I also pray that they open up and keep dreaming. I hope that they will share ideas, views of a world that they would like to see, visions for how we can get there. I pray that they will simply talk. Sometimes I find that young people are either intimidated by the aged and their knowledge or just feel like it won't matter so there is no point in talking. Part of keeping ourselves open to change is that we have to be willing to listen. We need to not only listen but we need to allow them to try new ideas to explore their ideas and, most difficult of all, we need to remember that once upon a time we too were the ones who challenged the status quo and pushed for new ideas. Times change and now we are the status quo and there are new challengers and through them will come great new ideas.

So this week I have high expectations. I am hoping for great things. I am hoping that they will talk and I hope I listen.

Oh and thank you Dr. Freud for the opening line.