I write frequently about my love for old-fashioned ways of living because there’s always something to learn from the generations who came before us. Their values and priorities can shine a light on our current blind spots.
Take ideals such as faith, patriotism, neighborliness, and big families—they don’t get the emphasis they once did. I’m genuinely happy that people are free to live however they like, but there are times I think those old values would be helpful to our society.
As much as I’m inspired by the past and like to emulate the best of what it can teach us, I’m very happy to be alive in modern times. If I could live in any era of history, I'd still choose this one.
The blessings of scientific and industrial progress are not something I take lightly. Gratitude is one of those old-fashioned values I want to cultivate. People in the past had little, yet they may have been more grateful than we are. In the grand scheme of history, anyone alive and reading this today is among those who have been given much.
7 Modern Blessings That Would Have Amazed Our Great-Grandparents
Even if not everything on my list resonates with you, I hope at least a few of these examples help you appreciate the time you’ve been born into. It’s a good practice to look for the positives in any situation, and it just so happens I think there’s plenty to see.
1. Modern Dentistry
As much as I still dislike going to the dentist, I have to admit that it’s almost entirely a painless and sanitary experience. The office is clean and well lit, and everything is done to ensure my comfort. I bet the amount of tooth pain per capita in modern countries has fallen drastically over the past 100 years.
2. Air Conditioning
I’m a huge proponent of spending lots of time outdoors, even in the heat of summer and the dead of winter. But what a luxury it is to have a comfortable place to return to after a day in the elements. Don’t even get me started about sleeping in a cool room on a hot, humid night—what a blessing indeed!
3. Cheap Antibiotics
Every time I get a cut that gets a little infected or an illness such as strep throat, I’m immediately reminded of how fortunate we are to live in an age of abundant antibiotics. In the past, minor infections could take out healthy people unexpectedly, and for the most part, that’s not something we worry about anymore.
4. Seatbelts and Safer Cars
While I appreciate the convenience of cars, I’ve always had a healthy respect for their danger. Thankfully, that danger has decreased significantly over the past half century thanks to airbags, seat belts, and smarter engineering—not to mention newer technologies such as lane assist and automatic braking.
5. Weather Forecasting
OK, it’s occasionally fun to be surprised by the weather, but for the most part, I’m happy that I can now see a reasonably good prediction of the day’s weather on my phone. The forecasts are far from perfect, but they are directionally very good, and almost always alert us when dangerous conditions might arise.
6. Babies Surviving Infancy
As a father of five children aged 10 and under, I’m extraordinarily grateful they are all alive and healthy. It wasn’t long ago that death in childbirth or infancy was much more common than it is today. Nowadays, it is very surprising and tragic to hear of such things, and that is how it should be.
7. Hearing Aids
This is one of those subtle innovations that is truly life-changing for a portion of the population. We all know someone who would not be able to hear well at all without their hearing aids. That someone might be you. Digitally enhanced hearing greatly extends the number of years we can socialize with loved ones and enjoy the beautiful sounds of laughter and nature, to name just a few.
The best part about living in modern times is that you can enjoy nearly all the benefits of progress, while also pursuing a life that your great-grandparents would have been proud of. My preference for living simply and relationally may have to compete with more noise than in the past, but it’s still a perfectly viable choice and one I can make within a much safer and more comfortable life. That should fill each of us with gratitude.
