I'M STILL LOOKING

(sigh)

What exactly does it mean to "find yourself"?

In the past couple of days I have come across that phrase at least half a dozen times from people I've been around, on television or in reading materials. It's such a PRETENTIOUS-sounding phrase -- kinda like "I'm a C-cup" or "My feet are indicative of other body parts."

"Finding yourself" smacks of 70s flower children who dropped out, smoked weed, embraced (literally) the free love era and adopted the mantra, "If it feels good, do it." Kicking back with a joint, they sought to come in touch with their "inner being," discover who they really were, what mattered to them, what their philosophy of life was.

Right.

For this phrase to still be in such heavy use intrigues me. Is each generation lost, searching frantically for who they are? Most likely, which is what's so scary, since the only folks going to be around to run the country are lost souls. Folks not sure if they're the Ford F-150 type or part of the Volvo crowd. Folks not sure they support the war or think Iraq is another Viet Nam. Folks not sure Obama's "pastor disaster" matters or not. Folks who have 19 recycle bins or throw everything in the Glad bag.

I'm overwhelmed with all the daily decisions that bombard me.

I've been lost since 1974. I haven't "found myself" yet.

(sigh)