Is there a choice? For certain!

This video was created for the AARP U@50 video contest and placed second. It is based on the Argentinian Political Advertisement "The Truth" by RECREAR.

I am part of a lost generation
and I refuse to believe that
I can change the world
I realize this may be a shock but
“Happiness comes from within.”
is a lie, and
“Money will make me happy.”
So in 30 years I will tell my children
they are not the most important thing in my life
My employer will know that
I have my priorities straight because
work
is more important than
family
I tell you this
Once upon a time
Families stayed together
but this will not be true in my era
This is a quick fix society
Experts tell me
30 years from now, I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce
I do not concede that
I will live in a country of my own making
In the future
Environmental destruction will be the norm
No longer can it be said that
My peers and I care about this earth
It will be evident that
My generation is apathetic and lethargic
It is foolish to presume that
There is hope.

And all of this will come true unless we choose to reverse it.

There is hope.  It is foolish to presume that my generation is apathetic and lethargic.  It will be evident that my peers and I care about this earth.  No longer can it be said that environmental destruction will be the norm. In the future, I will live in a country of my own making. I do not concede that 30 years from now I will be celebrating the 10th anniversary of my divorce.  Experts tell me this is a quick fix society, but this will not be true in my era.  Families stayed together once upon a time.  I tell you this, family is more important than work.  I have my priorities straight because my employer will know that they are not the most important thing in my life. So in 30 years I will tell my children "money will make me happy" is a lie, and [true] "happiness comes from within".  I realize this may be a shock but
I can change the world and I refuse to believe that I am part of a lost generation.

REALIZE= To understand something correctly. To put 2 and 2 together and come to a conclusion.

A SHOCK= Something very surprising, unexpected.

WITHIN= Inside.

I HAVE MY PRIORITIES STRAIGHT= I correctly know what is more important and what is less important.

ONCE UPON A TIME= A long time ago (the usual phrase to start a fairy tale).

IN MY ERA= In my times, when I am an adult.

QUICK FIX= (adj.) Something that is "quick fix", is something done quickly but not very well, without quality, so the problem will reappear:
- This is a quick fix solution, I think we'll have the same problem very soon.
- The plumber made a quick fix repair but he told us to change the radiators or we may have problems again.

30 YEARS FROM NOW= In 30 years; 30 years after today.

CONCEDE= To say it's true; to acknowledge.

MY OWN= The word OWN used with possessives is simply an emphasizer.

...OF MY OWN MAKING= ... that I have made myself.

THE NORM= The usual thing.

PEERS= Mates, fellows. A person who has equal standing with another or others, as in rank, class, or age. In this case, she refers to other young people from her same generation.

APATHETIC= Feeling or showing a lack of interest or concern; indifferent.

LETHARGIC= Showing low energy, not alert.

FOOLISH= (adj.) Stupid, silly.

PRESUME= (formal) suppose.

UNLESS= If not.
- unless we choose = If we don't choose.

REVERSE= Change to the opposite.