Be Happy you Weren’t Born in 1900
Updated: Jun 22, 2021
You'll see that we as a race are able to Adapt, Adjust and Overcome even during the most trying of times...
I had the privilege to connect with a former colleague and longtime friend, Joe Lovetere of Hub Technical Services (HubTech), a few days ago to check-in and ensure all was well.
As we were wrapping up, Joe said he felt pretty good about the ability to recover based on his enduring positive attitude and the insight he derived from an article (author unknown) that was passed his way.
It helped him put things into perspective and look at today’s situation in a totally new way.
These are remarkably interesting historical facts that should take some fear out of what is going on today - Joe shared this with me and I hope you will share it with others…
“Imagine you were born in 1900. On your 14th birthday, World War I begins. The War to End All Wars ends on your 18th birthday - 22 million people perish in that war.
Later in the year, a Spanish Flu epidemic hits the planet and runs until your 20th birthday. 50 million people die from it in those two (2) years - Yes, 50 million.
On your 29th birthday, the Great Depression begins. Unemployment hits 25%, the World GDP drops 27%.
That ends when you are 33. The world economy and our own country almost collapsed during the freefall.
When you turn 39, World War II starts. You aren’t even over the hill yet and you’ve barely been able to catch your breath.
On your 41st birthday, the United States is pulled into World War II (WWII). Between your 39th and 45th birthday, 75 million people die in the war.
At 50, the Korean War starts - 5 million people perish.
At 55 the Vietnam War begins and doesn’t end for twenty (20) years. 4 million people perish in that conflict.
On your 62nd birthday you have the Cuban Missile Crisis, a tipping point in the Cold War. Life on our planet, as we know it, should have ended. Great leaders prevented that from happening.
When you turn 75, the Vietnam War finally ends. Think of everyone on the planet born in 1900.
How do you survive all of that? When you were a kid in 1985 and didn’t think your 85-year old grandparent understood how hard school was, how mean that kid in your class was…
Imagine people you may have known in your lifetime survived through everything outlined above.
Perspective is an amazing way to frame how you process and apply value or fear to things. Let us try and keep things in perspective."
Perspective and adaptability are two (2) amazing traits that some have an abundance of in their personal make-up. If you happen to be one of those who have these behaviors – please show them to the ones around you and help them know that things will be all right!
Joe – thanks for sharing… I for one, feel a whole lot better.
If you’d like more insight on adaptability, please see this piece (https://www.kloudreadiness.com/post/2019/10/03/intelligence-emotional-maturity-or-adaptability) on the value of having a strong Adaptability Quotient (AQ) and the power it brings to both your personal and business life.