System

What have I done? I have lived my life, not living for so many years.
Systems are comfortable. Take Kumon for example. If you can create a bunch of levels and label them with letters, it seems like your child is progressing through life. Now there are some benefits to Kumon, like the remarkable ability to teach independent learning, which many students struggle with, but there is something very wrong with its linear method. What does a G level student mean? Is it a measure of true intelligence or smartness? Perhaps it only measures a child's ability to take a system and function with it.
The same goes for school, especially all the standardized tests and grades. We basically write off 90% of students for less than average because only a small number can fulfill all the crazy aims of the education system. Those few can balance life between their events, jobs, and school. Those few excel and get excellent grades. Those few may not be the smartest in the country, but they surely show for it.
What if we take the system away? What if we force these so-called smarties to farm, create a new model, or create art?

I guess my problem is that I judge society by how we treat the worst off of our members. As Americans it troubles me that so many live in poverty, so many suffer inaccessible medicine, so many dream, but succumb to drugs, suicide, and recklessness because only a few are allowed to flourish. America is selfish.

I am part of the problem myself. I pretend to help out the community by teaching Hebrew and creating trails on the Eastside. Only, my impact is so insignificant and inconsequential. I only give back for selfish desires.

I recently watched a video about a family in Georgia who sold their house to one half the size to donate money for a corn mill in Ghana. That's incredible. Obviously it helps that they are rich, but they live comfortably even without the mega-mansion. It really makes you think about what is important in life. We need food. We need sleep. We need shelter. We need friends. But do we need it all? Do we need to have the American dream of abundance? Do we really all need California closets?

What can you do to reduce your waste? What can you do to save money for greater causes? How can you get dirty and start actually making a difference?

We like to blame others for their problems, but it is remarkable how much a simple kind gesture can help someone. I have gone through my bouts of depression, but even a hug or an e-mail from a friend makes me feel spectacular. There are many days when I wonder why I don't receive such simple gifts. Then I realize how much I have and how little it really takes to make someone's life different.

I really want to start tutoring kids who believe learning is stupid or don't have the chance to find safe, conducive learning habitats. Even if I cannot inspire kids to learn and explore I hope I can help them steer away from the habits that drown this world: gangs, violence, depression, suicide, poverty, homelessness, etc.

What are you going to do?