the new dream

​I was at a farm in Singapore (yes, there are quite a few of them!) a couple of weeks back, and it was remarkable to see the sheer number of foreign students working at the farm – some learning new farming techniques, others learning what it takes to run an organic F&B outlet similar to what the farm was offering, and some others volunteering at the farm for a couple of weeks before heading to their next destination. 
At a friend’s wedding back in India, I met a couple of students from Europe & the US who had been living in India for almost a year, learning about the various rituals, religious ceremonies – photographing, documenting, journaling their experience. And planning to take all of this experience back with them to start an organization promoting culture led tourism.
Traveling to different places, seeking experiences that matter to them, the Millennials are creating a life of freedom for themselves - the freedom to work from where they want, when they want, and with who they want to work with, completely mobile in every sense of the word.
The generation that popularized gap year is seeking to extend the experience into their adulthood too. They are seeking work life integration – and not work life balance & see their work as a source of meaning and a canvass to express their deepest strengths. 
Responding and accelerating this trend, are interesting outfits such as WeWork.With a philosophy that is about ‘Make a life, Not Just a Living’, WeWork transforms buildings into dynamic environments for creativity, focus, and connection & is more “a movement toward humanizing work. We believe that CEOs can help each other, offices can use the comforts of home, and we can all look forward to Monday if we find real meaning in what we do” as their website says.https://www.wework.com/
Another game changing entity, Remote Year curates’ communities of interesting professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers from across the globe to spend time together working, traveling, and exploring cities around the world. Check out: https://remoteyear.com
And one of my favorites, Unsettled. Unsettled, is, as their website says “a community for those who embrace the unknown and value meaningful human connections. Who believe that feeling a little bit "unsettled" is a positive impulse for change, innovation, and discovery. Their co-working retreats are designed to elevate work, life, and adventures beyond the ordinary. “Join us in one of our handpicked locations and get everything you need to be connected, comfortable, and collaborative: private accommodation, shared workspace, local experts, events, and an immersive community experience” as they say.  https://beunsettled.co/
Blurring the distinctions between life and work, that which moves you deeply and which brings you financial rewards, people you like to hang out with and work with, between holidays, Millennials have created a new approach to life and work – one that is not just profoundly wise and energizing – but extremely profitable and for the wellbeing of a larger community & themselves. 
Having understood & living a good life, they might be the wisest generation of all, after all. 
They are feeling truly free. What bigger currency could there be!?!