Passing the Baton
It’s track season once again. I loved watching my son
compete—and his individual events were so exciting.
But there was something
special about his relay races. In the dicey “exchange zone” the baton is passed
from one runner to the next.
They have mere seconds to make a clean exchange in
the zone, without dropping the baton or taking precious seconds off their time.
It’s a skill the team routinely practices and in competition their mission isn't just passing the baton, but winning the race.
I was wondering how Millennials are feeling as they reach behind
to grab the baton from our generation (Boomers)? Just how are we doing in the
exchange zone?
This much is certain: we are passing a baton weighted down with
national debt. A debt they didn’t create on their own. But it’s getting passed
on.
Even though they are younger, stronger, and will live
longer, they are going to have to work harder to win.
Thankfully, instead of a few seconds, we have a few years in
the exchange zone. Perhaps in the time ahead we’ll remember that to win we
can’t drop the baton. Even more important, let’s not forget we’re all on the
same team.