The Baby Boomers is a term used to describe the post-WWII generation born from 1945 to the mid-1960s. There was a boom in the birth rate after the war in Western societies. The 50s were dominated by post-war reconstruction, full employment, rock ‘n’ roll, dance halls, churches, and booming economies for many.
Then, in the 1960s, another wave swept through society: the anti-Vietnam War protests and the advent of contraception for women. New social movements arose that spawned global music and language challenging the existing order and thinking. As Bob Dylan sang, “The times, they are a changing,” and they sure were.
This book is the result of my listening to people’s stories for over 45 years as a counsellor, therapist, and group facilitator. I have listened to their struggles to find healthy relationships, relationships that worked, and even just getting into a relationship. I have also heard about the challenge of finding love, peace, and safety, how to manage anxiety and depression and the many other human difficulties, part of life for all of us.
As I wrote in the introduction to my book, history tells us that humans are a very adaptable species and in times of crisis, the best in us comes out. You could say it takes a good crisis to get us going! I view history not just in terms of technological evolution but rather as the gradual expansion of consciousness. History, for me, is ultimately about humanity becoming aware of itself and its environment. Consciousness is both internal and external.
This book is about where we are at in our journey, of awakening to a fuller consciousness.
It is about the role the Baby Boomer generation played in that awakening, in rattling the cage of the dominant current narratives of the day and taking up the challenge of reforming thinking in the key areas of human relations, politics, economics and social organization.
The global interconnected brain is waking up, and this book is my humble call to action, directed at my generation, to finish the reformation we began in the 1960s.
We tabled the issues of racism, sexism, militarism, environmental degradation, materialism, poverty, and injustice. We tabled them, yes, and achieved some, but the jobs were not done!
My hope is these words may stir up some conversations and open up new thoughts and avenues of reflection and action.
It is now clear to many; we stand on the edge of a huge global shift that has already begun. We are just starting to catch up with the powerful forces of change and evolution, now running loose. We have the possibility of the most amazing creative shift humanity has ever seen.
However, my fear is the pain may have to get more intense and events more destructive before we wake up and get going. We are at a global tipping point. With so much at stake, we have never been here before. It is a special time for humanity that needs to be accepted and acknowledged, especially my generation.
Never in the planet’s history has a generation built up so much capital and assets for themselves. Material prosperity has been huge compared to the past. What do we do with this? What has been the cost? How do we use this to benefit our world? Do we just sail off into the sunset on our well-stocked cruise ships, leaving the messy stuff for our kids and grandkids to sort out and clean up? What legacy do we boomers want to leave, and what values do we stand for? How can we support the safe evolution of our offspring into a warm, sustainable, healthy, safe, and cooperating world rather than an unsafe, fractured, and competitive jungle?
This book is about our journey as Boomers and our final challenge to make our legacy really count for something more than just a big party and the ensuing environmental and economic hangover! It is about the excitement of the possibility of making a great world and a great planet for all to live in.
As they said in the 60s, “Peace and love, man.”
In the book, I look at various issues, from alcohol and drugs to violence and bullying, and how they have arisen, and offer some ways forward. I look at why we are where we are and how this has happened.
Humanity is currently in an interesting and scary place. People all over the world are feeling it. Many are worried and anxious, concerned about food, shelter, and health. The House of Humanity needs major work. Parts of it are old and crumbling, past their use-by date. It’s old, cold, and draughty and is currently falling down around our ears. So, the old house needs major work, some serious remodeling to clean it up and make it really livable for everyone.
We need a new house plan and a team to get it done.
There are things we can all do to contribute. I think we will need much wisdom and cool heads. Every teacher, mother, child, man, father, tradesperson – everyone, will have a part to play in the rebuilding of humanity’s house. It is a global project that begins with each of us, wherever we are. We all have something to offer and a part to play. It could be a fantastic communal project belonging to all.
In my mind, we Boomers started something a while back, and now we have a last push to do! This book is about an invitation to join in and a challenge to the Boomer generation, which has done materially well, to step up and leave more than flushed superfunds and expensive homes the next generation can’t afford to buy. As I have said, we are great in a crisis, but this could be our finest hour.
