i really think this is a common enough existential crisis in our generation of the blue collar middle class. And i see in my peers an overall low grade fattening out of affect and expectation. Strangely- i see the next generation (in thier early 20s) having the same feelings. I just rented the movie Garden State with my daughter and she had a lot to say about the themes , was happy to be recognized by the movie and to recognize herself and peers and was explaining things to me- preaching to the chior!
Its funny to me how usual this crisis is and that we reflect and ponder and charge forth as true believers at first and then keep up disappointing ourselves.
I wish we could infect the next generation with joy and mindfullness but we have to teach it to ourselves first.