Gen Y Gives Thanks: The little things

Despite a hectic lifestyle, Gen Y'ers are grateful for
little things like home-cooked meals.
(Photo: Photoxpress.com)

With frantic paced lives full of constant communication, work, school, social life, etc., Generation Y is spread pretty thin. It is easy to assume they wouldn’t appreciate the little things. But, in fact they do, perhaps because of the hectic lifestyle to which they are accustomed.

Jessica Braun, a 22-year old Americorps VISTA Volunteer for Grow Food Grow Hope in Wilmington, Ohio, says because our world is full of mass production, she especially appreciates the little things her family, friends and Gen Y peers do.

“In a world where so many things and messages are mass produced I am thankful for the time people take to do simple things for one another: handwritten notes, phone calls (of the non-business variety), home-cooked meals, etc. I am especially thankful for the friends and family who take those extra few moments to do such things for me and for each other.

I am so grateful for these things because they remind me that the stereotypes of Generation Y are just that, simple stereotypes. The Gen Y’ers I know are hardworking, fun-loving, personable people who have big dreams and push each other by taking those extra minutes out of their day to encourage, teach and mentor. I am so grateful for every bit of encouragement, lesson (big and small) and bit of expertise I have received.”

For Blake Sunshine, 22, Media Relations and Social Media Coordinator at National Instruments in Austin, Texas, queso is the little thing she appreciates most. The warm cheesy dip, often served at Tex-Mex restaurants has been the glue to bring together her family and friends.

“Every single one of my major life events has been debated, celebrated or explained over queso.
Queso was the last thing I ate with my best friends after we graduated and moved on to our new lives scattered all over the world. Queso is what I share with my mentor as she inspires me to continue blogging and teaches me how to be better at my job and at life. And, when I'm stuck at a crossroads and unsure of where to go, it only takes a few conversations over queso to help me decide a plan of action. I appreciate that queso is something you can share with others, and I’m glad that it takes a long time to eat because sometimes it takes a long time to figure things out. Queso isn’t just food to me; it’s the thing that keeps my relationships together and helps me move forward with my life. And, if I am moving forward, then I can help others move forward too.”

Braun and Sunshine know these little things aren’t just temporary, they will continue to be a big part of their lives. Said Braun, “I am most of all thankful knowing that all of this will continue far beyond just a month of giving thanks.”

Read more about Braun and Sunshine in their blogs: http://jessicacrb.blogspot.com and http://blakesunshine.com. 

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