Not all our changes are for the better

As my 65th birthday approaches, I'm constantly reminded just how out of step I am with modern society.

For example, I can't remember the exact moment that I fully abandoned today's musical offerings but I suspect, that may have been the first signal of societal withdrawal.

It's not so much a simple preference for "oldies" music. It's a flat-out rejection of what passes for music today.

Also, I have yet to answer the siren's call of Facebook or Twitter.

And I can state with absolute assurance, I will pass on the next media morph that will soon come down the pike.

My iPhone - literally forced on me by a pimple-faced salesman who spoke in a tongue foreign to my ears - is a constant source of frustration.

I know. I know. This marvelous device has an array of features just short of fixing your lunch.

My sole interest however is sending and receiving phone calls.

No more. No less.

While car shopping recently, I was shown models with rear view cameras and voice-activated phones.

That's all fine and dandy.

But that old '59 Chevy Belair safely traveled from point A to point B. And it lacked a rear view camera as best I recall.

I wear a belt and my pants don't sag so clearly the world of fashion too has passed me by.

Because of our academic slide, there's a move afoot by some in our schools to give credit for attendance and ignore academic success.

If that's the case, then this aspect of our new social trend is most definitely counter to my old-fashioned ways.

I don't yearn for days gone by as much as I mourn the "sophistication" of this brave new world.

I accept the notion that most - but not all - changes are for the better. But that doesn't mean I have to embrace these changes with open arms.

But the most glaring sign of my out-of-touch mindset is the evolving view of our government's role in our lives.

If the majority view of government is to provide for all of our needs, then yes, my limited days in the sun have come and gone.

If personal responsibility and initiative combined with hard work seem like relics of a bygone day, then I missed the bus or failed to get the memo.

Perhaps I've just entered the "old goat" stage of life, but here's the point of this personal reflection.

Despite the changes that are inevitable, the one constant should be values.

If we are compromising our values, then change should be rejected outright.

Values are not some subjective notion that can change with the times. Values are constant and firm and should be held dear.

When we change our values, we're heading down the wrong path.

That's something to ponder in the weeks ahead.