I know, I know…the world is constantly changing.  But you must admit, this timeline is fascinating. Whether it is for better or worse, that remains to be seen.

There is a special magic in remembering the world before smartphones, streaming services, and artificial intelligence became our norm. Have you ever seen social media posts highlighting how great life was as a teenager in the 1980s?  My algorithm feeds me this on the regular. I admit those posts take me back in time in a way that is difficult to describe to the younger generations.

As a new mother, I remember rocking my newborns in the quiet hours of the night. I would gaze at the little miracle and breathe in their newness, wondering how they would one day shape the world.  My daughter was born in 2001, just months before 9/11 changed everything. My son was born in 2003. Fast forward to 2026, and the world looks vastly different than anything I could have predicted. The skills our children need are evolving in real time, and the next decade will demand adaptability. These lightning-fast changes can leave some people feeling left behind and hopeless of ever catching up.

The truth is we still hold authorship over our own lives. We have the power to choose our mindsets, continuously learn new skills, pivot intentionally, and protect the foundational human values we pass down to the next generation.

At our core, most of us want the same things.  We crave the basics: a safe roof over our heads, clean food and water, and a true sense of security. Beyond survival, we look for purpose, peace, love, and the joy of family and friends. Ultimately, we all want the freedom to experience the incredible people and places this world has to offer. Our planet truly is beautiful.

I hope we never let deep, intentional conversation become a rarity. True human connection delivers the warmth and soulful impact that technology simply cannot beat.