Dear Girls and Boys:

Today as I took you to school, I asked about the two worlds that you live in: Our world, the “World of Our Reality;” Your world, the “World of Your Virtuality.”

You spoke of your attraction to Cyber-space and Cyber-families. You really feel secure in defining your own environment.

What you’re really saying is that you are looking for new ways of doing things. It’s not so much that you reject our ways. It’s just that you are pursuing yours. And the new ways take you places we have never been. You need our support for this experimental voyage, but fear our judgment may “sink your ship.” You’re asking for “time and unconditionality” and viewing us as reluctant to give it.

What this adds up to for me is this: We’re the ones who are fearful—fearful of losing you—fearful that you may not be able to make it in a world not of your making.

The most helpful thing that I have found in resolving crises in life has been what we call “The Values–Requirements Matrix.” Here we compare similarities and contrast differences in values and requirements. Our goal is to maximize meeting the highest levels of our values and the system’s requirements. This takes a little effort.

I guess what I’m saying is that there are ways to resolve these conflicts. They involve communications in which we share values and then attempt to merge them in new and elevated courses of action.

In my experience, I have found that the greatest “breakthroughs” in my thinking have come through this process. I have lived my life with great anticipation and excitement because I have ventured outside of my known pathways. I am doing so right now with you.

I call this my “Voyage of Discovery.” I hope that you can have your own.

The great test of the continuation of this “Great Experiment labeled America” will be substance: of your Relating, Enlightenment, and Entrepreneurism of your civilization’s Peace, Participation, and Prosperity.

I am eager to go part of the way with you—or simply stand aside as the case may be: “Those also serve who only stand and wait.”

With all my love,

“Pop-Pop”