Welcome to college! Knowledge is now something you can smell in the halls, taste in the library and breath during finals. There's a specific crisp fall air that accompanies the college camps when classes resume from a summer of forgotten vocabulary, removed writing callouses and freedom from test anxiety and group projects. There's an expectation that our mind will be used in ways they haven't for awhile and as much as we complain, many of us are ready to take on a challenge. So the first day of classes begin and we meet new friends and reunite with old ones, all the while anticipating how much we will have to learn about this or that, where the majority of our homework will come from or who will make a good study partner, besides our obvious choice of the cute new foreign exchange student.
Aside from all other agendas, college is a time of learning. The truth is, everything thrives around the idea that we are receiving an education, but also learning how to exist in a world of freedom. The balance of these two purposes is what leads me to ask the question of our intentions, not only in school, but life as well. As information is now available to us in unfathomably extensive ways, I feel a need to actually step back and ask ourselves how much we are absorbing each day and whether are lives are a reflection of the wisdom that accompanies new discoveries and experiences we encounter. Are we trying find understanding in times where the right information may have some very serious implications? Are we doing all we can to learn while we still have the chance?
Learning comes in three main forms which can produce similar or drastically different perspectives on the way we interpret our world and choose to act because of it. The most obvious way our current educational system displays learning is through the use of a teacher and therefore, knowledge is received through being taught. The second form of learning is through the gathering of information and seeking of knowledge for ourselves. This is where learning starts to take a more personal turn, as the issues and topics we desire to know more about are available to us, and we purposefully pursue the understanding of such. The last, and perhaps most influential way, of learning is through experience. Experience is the key to a lasting understanding of how things are physically applied in really situations with lasting effects. Until you understand the stove is hot because you decided to touch it, the concept of getting burnt is quite hard to get your head around. In the same way, most knowledge is not fully comprehended until it is applied in a realistic situation. Of course, the best way to truly learn as much possible about a subject is by using all three ways of learning to expand your perception and awareness of all elements involved. If you want to know something, learn everything you can, test what is true about what you discover, hold onto what is true and disregard everything else.
Learning is a basic function of our humanity as well as our development and comes in a few specific stages, which can be identified by the individuals who hold the most influence over our knowledge during those periods. For my own purposes, I've deemed this process 'The Evolution of Learning' to give a better picture of the way that our ability to understand shifts through different stages of our lives. The obvious first stage of development is most affected by the parents of any person. Parents are arguably not only the most important, but also the longest lasting influence on our learning. Basic function and knowledge come directly from their teaching and modeled behavior. The choice to be a parent should never be taken lightly. From the parents, some responsibility of learning shifts to the other relationships we make during childhood. Discovery through the interaction of people at the same levels of development are essential to our understanding of relationships, community and outside perspective. The formal teacher is the next person of influence after the peer, and this becomes our first experience of intentional learning in a direct and efficient manner. While teachers may fit into the next stage, the mentor soon takes over the role of teaching an individual what they most desire to know and understand. A mentor is seen as an individual who will personally take the time to directly support and guide the growing adolescent through times of uncertainty and provide necessary clarification and well as teaching them how to thrive in a society that will continue to expect more and more of them. Past this stage comes the second more formal teaching of a boss or leader who, most often, teaches either through example or a system of management set up to provide learning of a specific skill or overall conception. The final accomplishment of learning, comes from within oneself. This occurs when their level of respect in a society has reached the point where their opinion and perspective become valid and they are able to learn through personal experience and interpretation. Every stage of learning is inherently necessary to the success of an individual and their ability to reach the final stage of knowledge. But why does all of this matter?
Rarely does any person actually experience every step of this process without some sort of deficiency. It is because of this that we have the obligation to try and fill those gaps whenever we reach the final step of this process. And I say, the sooner the better. When people state they simply don't get why war, poverty, injustice and suffering exist, my first reaction is to question whether they are actually aware of the circumstances surrounding such. Because our American lives have been furnished with a filtered view of the world around us, we have a duty to learn what the reality of life is outside of our understanding when that knowledge becomes available to us. Ignorance is an actuality to be realized and not hidden by pride and fear of rejection. Discover what is truly happening, decide for yourself where truth and knowledge combine to affect our lives and ideologies. Are you learning about the world around you? Or are you stuck in a stage where teachers and parents are continuing to provide their biased view reality. Learn about yourself. Learn about other. Challenge your own understanding. Find out what you've been missing.
Monday, December 6, 2010
Are You Serving?
The art of the Service Project.
1. Find a group to help:
a. the poor
b. the sick
c. the children
d. the environment
2. Find the most convenient, least expensive way to help them.
3. Find people you know will commit, even if they are already committed to other things.
4. Downsize your plan at the last moment so that it's easier to accommodate everyone.
5. Get out there and serve!
*Some grumbling may be allowed as long as one person continues to have a positive attitude and encourages the rest of the group.
How many times has this happened? How many times have we let it? Service may be appealing to some, but others see it as grueling and unnecessary. When did the role of service in our lives become menial and even mock-able? Who rose the white flag and decided that fighting for those in need was too much of a burden for those of us with the ability and resources to do so? And perhaps the most frightening question of all, does it really matter?
Service has started to be seen in two very distinct lights. Either you are in support of all manners of serving that occur, or you are confounded by the idea that anyone would willingly give up their own time to do something that rarely benefits them in any way. The reason this has occurred is because of the way people choose to define the word, servant. Only due to my Chinese roommate have I actually begun to understand how many words in our English language can be misconstrued and misunderstood. A major problem with our language is that we lack the vocabulary to actually express what we mean. Regardless of all the slang terms that we use, especially as college students, our meaning behind what we say is changing ever more rapidly and the truth is, we're leaving much of our population behind. Our current example of this is the way we interpret the word, servant.
Part of our history involves not only the use of slaves, but also servants in roles that continue to be unappealing to our nature. Unfortunately, though our culture has evolved away from such harsh practices, our mindset has not necessarily made the shift as well. To many, being a servant still corresponds with holding a lower social and economic position than the average society around you. Whether acknowledged or not, this prevents some individuals from even considering a "service project." Yet for many of us, being a servant means willingly applying our skills and effort to support the things or people that need them. In Greek, there are two distinct words for the differences in our translations. Doulos is the word used when a person is "under a master." This word implies a sense of bondage and forced commitment and obviously implies a negative relational role for the servant. There is, however, another word used in Greek, diakonos, which is also translated to servant in English. Diakonos means literally "to wait at table." The implied meaning of it though is understood as "serving one another." This translation shows a mutual understanding of those around you and acknowledges the humanness of each specific person. With this definition, we can begin to see service as a communal approach to life around us and look at the real implications of such in our lives.
Serving, or supporting one another, can be either a mindset, a purpose or an action. If serving is simply an action, then the virtue of caring is less emphasized because there is no feeling behind the action and therefore, it has no effect on the relationship the servant is developing with the world around them. If serving is a purpose, then often, it is used only as a means to an end. Showing community service on your resume. Getting the number of hours needed for a scholarship. Feeling obligated by the friendships around because they want to bond over a time of serving someone or something. All of these can be examples of situations where service occurs, but unfortunately, there is still an important element missing in order for the harmonious type of experience we see in the word, diakonos. A mindset of service is that which makes the servant continually aware of their ability to "make a difference" in this world, meaning they are constantly willing to respond to the reality that we are all in this together. Having the mindset of a servant means that whatever you do, whether seen intentionally as service or not, is done with a focus on how to provided the best possible experience for everyone involved, along with the best possible outcome. If we were willing, as individuals, to take on this mindset for ever short periods of time in our daily life, I can hardly imagine the incredible changes that could occur.
So where does this leave us, as individuals with a desire to connect and commune with one another on a deep level, as well as feel a sense of accomplishment after meaningful and rewarding work? The result of service is always thankfulness. Whether shown to, or surprisingly even by, the servant, thankfulness is a emotion rarely more purely expressed than when used to acknowledge the true accomplishment of a person. This reward of thanks is perhaps one of the most gratifying feeling of the human soul. This is because not only have you affirmed the value of a certain person or object, but you in turn have received that affirmation and a recognition that you have worth as an individual.
Service is a gift given to those who are willing to lay aside all other priorities for the life of someone or something else. Could you imagine if someone did that for you? Are you serving the world?
Link accompanying post:
-an example of service in action
http://onelovegeneration.org/2010/01/10/the-best-way-to-find-yourself-is-to-lose-yourself-in-the-service-of-others/
1. Find a group to help:
a. the poor
b. the sick
c. the children
d. the environment
2. Find the most convenient, least expensive way to help them.
3. Find people you know will commit, even if they are already committed to other things.
4. Downsize your plan at the last moment so that it's easier to accommodate everyone.
5. Get out there and serve!
*Some grumbling may be allowed as long as one person continues to have a positive attitude and encourages the rest of the group.
How many times has this happened? How many times have we let it? Service may be appealing to some, but others see it as grueling and unnecessary. When did the role of service in our lives become menial and even mock-able? Who rose the white flag and decided that fighting for those in need was too much of a burden for those of us with the ability and resources to do so? And perhaps the most frightening question of all, does it really matter?
Service has started to be seen in two very distinct lights. Either you are in support of all manners of serving that occur, or you are confounded by the idea that anyone would willingly give up their own time to do something that rarely benefits them in any way. The reason this has occurred is because of the way people choose to define the word, servant. Only due to my Chinese roommate have I actually begun to understand how many words in our English language can be misconstrued and misunderstood. A major problem with our language is that we lack the vocabulary to actually express what we mean. Regardless of all the slang terms that we use, especially as college students, our meaning behind what we say is changing ever more rapidly and the truth is, we're leaving much of our population behind. Our current example of this is the way we interpret the word, servant.
Part of our history involves not only the use of slaves, but also servants in roles that continue to be unappealing to our nature. Unfortunately, though our culture has evolved away from such harsh practices, our mindset has not necessarily made the shift as well. To many, being a servant still corresponds with holding a lower social and economic position than the average society around you. Whether acknowledged or not, this prevents some individuals from even considering a "service project." Yet for many of us, being a servant means willingly applying our skills and effort to support the things or people that need them. In Greek, there are two distinct words for the differences in our translations. Doulos is the word used when a person is "under a master." This word implies a sense of bondage and forced commitment and obviously implies a negative relational role for the servant. There is, however, another word used in Greek, diakonos, which is also translated to servant in English. Diakonos means literally "to wait at table." The implied meaning of it though is understood as "serving one another." This translation shows a mutual understanding of those around you and acknowledges the humanness of each specific person. With this definition, we can begin to see service as a communal approach to life around us and look at the real implications of such in our lives.
Serving, or supporting one another, can be either a mindset, a purpose or an action. If serving is simply an action, then the virtue of caring is less emphasized because there is no feeling behind the action and therefore, it has no effect on the relationship the servant is developing with the world around them. If serving is a purpose, then often, it is used only as a means to an end. Showing community service on your resume. Getting the number of hours needed for a scholarship. Feeling obligated by the friendships around because they want to bond over a time of serving someone or something. All of these can be examples of situations where service occurs, but unfortunately, there is still an important element missing in order for the harmonious type of experience we see in the word, diakonos. A mindset of service is that which makes the servant continually aware of their ability to "make a difference" in this world, meaning they are constantly willing to respond to the reality that we are all in this together. Having the mindset of a servant means that whatever you do, whether seen intentionally as service or not, is done with a focus on how to provided the best possible experience for everyone involved, along with the best possible outcome. If we were willing, as individuals, to take on this mindset for ever short periods of time in our daily life, I can hardly imagine the incredible changes that could occur.
So where does this leave us, as individuals with a desire to connect and commune with one another on a deep level, as well as feel a sense of accomplishment after meaningful and rewarding work? The result of service is always thankfulness. Whether shown to, or surprisingly even by, the servant, thankfulness is a emotion rarely more purely expressed than when used to acknowledge the true accomplishment of a person. This reward of thanks is perhaps one of the most gratifying feeling of the human soul. This is because not only have you affirmed the value of a certain person or object, but you in turn have received that affirmation and a recognition that you have worth as an individual.
Service is a gift given to those who are willing to lay aside all other priorities for the life of someone or something else. Could you imagine if someone did that for you? Are you serving the world?
Link accompanying post:
-an example of service in action
http://onelovegeneration.org/2010/01/10/the-best-way-to-find-yourself-is-to-lose-yourself-in-the-service-of-others/
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Are You Seeking?
Truth. This five letter word can create, destroy, empower, weaken and change everything you ever thought. Some days, it seems fundamental that truth is the root of virtue, joy, love and freedom. But other times, it seems like truth itself is a binding, confining idea, let alone the implications resulting from it.What is truth? Where does it come from? Why does it matter? In all honesty, I don't ever think we'll be able to fully answer these questions. In spite of this, my desire to function in this world as the best individual I can continues to focus on this subject with undying resolve. I've started to wonder what is really true...
The problem with the way that truth is viewed today is there is on longer an assumption of that whatever is said to be true is actually true in every situation at all times. While I'm not saying some things aren't relative to our personal perspective, I am saying there must be some absolute, undeniable facts and realities that exist without debate. The dilemma here is, not only can we not seem to get our head around an idea of truth, but even things like reality and words like true are sometimes outside our grasp of comprehension. However, I don't think this can excuse us, the most intelligent beings on earth, from at least trying to understand a core subject of our humanity.
The first important truth about truth is based around the way we tell the truth. Now don't get too confused here. In a testimony for a trial, the witness promises to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. This means that there is such a thing as an incomplete truth, as well as something that is not the truth. In order for something to be true, it must be completely explained and thought through. Leaving out a single detail leaves the door open to misinterpretation of what is said and therefore, could cause something meant to be true, to actually become false. This is assuming that there is such a thing as false, since telling something other than the truth is also not allowed. The conclusion in this is that we have now defined two basic ideas about truth.
First, it can be misunderstood.
Second, it has an opposite.
Everything in our world, from light and dark to rocks and water, has an counter force or object that helps to define it. Truth is the same way. We can discover what truth is because we know what it is to lie. We can tell when things are false or "untrue." We know what happens when someone gets the wrong picture of a situation because they've been lied to. From my understanding of lies, I've come to the conclusion that every lie ultimately produces some form of fear. If you lie to your mother about whether you stole a cookie from the cookie jar, you become afraid that she might discover that you did. More presently applicable to college life, if you lie about cheating on a test, you begin to fear that the teacher will be able to tell and then the consequences should such an event occur. Lies also ultimately lead to guilt and guilt is destroyer of joy. Once joy is gone in your life, little else makes sense...
So, the opposite of invalid is something valid. Otherwise known as, something true. Truth then, has a few implications of its own. If lies bring fear, then truth brings freedom. Freedom from fear. Freedom from injustice. Freedom from disrespect. Freedom from hate. Freedom from a life controlled by the worry that someone, someday will discover the lies we've told and use them to destroy us and steal our joy.
Hope now remains. Hope that truth can be a reality. That seeking truth doesn't have to be left to the idealistic, naive individuals who simply want world peace and everyone to get along. The truth isn't always east, but it is good. It's not always clear, but its worth searching for. Are you personally seeking truth? Because the resulting joy from discovery is worth the effort.
Link accompanying Post:
-Interesting Perspective... Comment what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp8HsAJyCU0
The problem with the way that truth is viewed today is there is on longer an assumption of that whatever is said to be true is actually true in every situation at all times. While I'm not saying some things aren't relative to our personal perspective, I am saying there must be some absolute, undeniable facts and realities that exist without debate. The dilemma here is, not only can we not seem to get our head around an idea of truth, but even things like reality and words like true are sometimes outside our grasp of comprehension. However, I don't think this can excuse us, the most intelligent beings on earth, from at least trying to understand a core subject of our humanity.
The first important truth about truth is based around the way we tell the truth. Now don't get too confused here. In a testimony for a trial, the witness promises to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. This means that there is such a thing as an incomplete truth, as well as something that is not the truth. In order for something to be true, it must be completely explained and thought through. Leaving out a single detail leaves the door open to misinterpretation of what is said and therefore, could cause something meant to be true, to actually become false. This is assuming that there is such a thing as false, since telling something other than the truth is also not allowed. The conclusion in this is that we have now defined two basic ideas about truth.
First, it can be misunderstood.
Second, it has an opposite.
Everything in our world, from light and dark to rocks and water, has an counter force or object that helps to define it. Truth is the same way. We can discover what truth is because we know what it is to lie. We can tell when things are false or "untrue." We know what happens when someone gets the wrong picture of a situation because they've been lied to. From my understanding of lies, I've come to the conclusion that every lie ultimately produces some form of fear. If you lie to your mother about whether you stole a cookie from the cookie jar, you become afraid that she might discover that you did. More presently applicable to college life, if you lie about cheating on a test, you begin to fear that the teacher will be able to tell and then the consequences should such an event occur. Lies also ultimately lead to guilt and guilt is destroyer of joy. Once joy is gone in your life, little else makes sense...
So, the opposite of invalid is something valid. Otherwise known as, something true. Truth then, has a few implications of its own. If lies bring fear, then truth brings freedom. Freedom from fear. Freedom from injustice. Freedom from disrespect. Freedom from hate. Freedom from a life controlled by the worry that someone, someday will discover the lies we've told and use them to destroy us and steal our joy.
Hope now remains. Hope that truth can be a reality. That seeking truth doesn't have to be left to the idealistic, naive individuals who simply want world peace and everyone to get along. The truth isn't always east, but it is good. It's not always clear, but its worth searching for. Are you personally seeking truth? Because the resulting joy from discovery is worth the effort.
Link accompanying Post:
-Interesting Perspective... Comment what you think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp8HsAJyCU0
Monday, November 8, 2010
Are You Serious?
So imagine. You just stepped onto a college campus. Regardless of your age, the atmosphere of late night adventures and forgotten homework assignments leave a crisp texture in the air. The sight of a college campus either brings with it memories or possibilities. The wonder at how a culture of independence can so abundantly thrive and develop into a community is almost too much to comprehend for the average visitor to such a place. Yet each step further onto a college campus brings with it a strength and vitality that is rarely seen. At least so we hope...
The collegiate population of the world has always been known as idealistic, and rightfully so, considering the progress made throughout history when twenty-somethings decided to actually take a stand for injustice, persecution, prejudice and neglect. The bar was set in the 1960's, when action was finally taken against the racial controversy in America. Led by a group of college students, sit-ins, freedom rides and demonstrations began a movement that would strain and test the values of our society. Ultimately, the results of a few students' activism compelled our nation into change, freedom and impartiality. Yet again, our culture has begun to ignore those that need our help most.
Perhaps it's that the students of the world are simply forced to be more aware of current injustices, taking that so many of our classes depend on the ever-changing issues around us. But regardless of cause, the broken social scene of our world has been noticed by the populations of colleges and university. Our only reason for hesitancy has become the timidity and apprehension of a people who have had to worry little about their own providence through childhood and even continuing into college life. Society has created a generation of incredible thinkers, but few great actors, willing to play on the stage that has been set before them with confidence, courage and resolve.
In light of this, my first challenge must surface, not only to myself, but to each individual preparing to make their mark on the world and stand up for what must be done. I ask you to question yourselves. Decided whether you can actually take yourself seriously in a world full of false fulfillment and unsatisfying distractions. Take a minute, a day, a month to determine if you are serious about living as an individual who can truly have an influence on the world around you. Do not be caught by the lies that scream we are insignificant and ineffective in our youth. No task is to great for a time such as this. The heads of our self-consumed world can only be lifted when the light is to bright to ignore any longer.
So, let yourself be an inspiration. Do not worry about the problems of tomorrow, but act on the contentions of today. Are you serious about seeking truth, life and purpose in this world? Prove it.
Link accompanying Post:
http://loveyourenemies.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/mlk-a-double-victory/
The collegiate population of the world has always been known as idealistic, and rightfully so, considering the progress made throughout history when twenty-somethings decided to actually take a stand for injustice, persecution, prejudice and neglect. The bar was set in the 1960's, when action was finally taken against the racial controversy in America. Led by a group of college students, sit-ins, freedom rides and demonstrations began a movement that would strain and test the values of our society. Ultimately, the results of a few students' activism compelled our nation into change, freedom and impartiality. Yet again, our culture has begun to ignore those that need our help most.
Perhaps it's that the students of the world are simply forced to be more aware of current injustices, taking that so many of our classes depend on the ever-changing issues around us. But regardless of cause, the broken social scene of our world has been noticed by the populations of colleges and university. Our only reason for hesitancy has become the timidity and apprehension of a people who have had to worry little about their own providence through childhood and even continuing into college life. Society has created a generation of incredible thinkers, but few great actors, willing to play on the stage that has been set before them with confidence, courage and resolve.
In light of this, my first challenge must surface, not only to myself, but to each individual preparing to make their mark on the world and stand up for what must be done. I ask you to question yourselves. Decided whether you can actually take yourself seriously in a world full of false fulfillment and unsatisfying distractions. Take a minute, a day, a month to determine if you are serious about living as an individual who can truly have an influence on the world around you. Do not be caught by the lies that scream we are insignificant and ineffective in our youth. No task is to great for a time such as this. The heads of our self-consumed world can only be lifted when the light is to bright to ignore any longer.
So, let yourself be an inspiration. Do not worry about the problems of tomorrow, but act on the contentions of today. Are you serious about seeking truth, life and purpose in this world? Prove it.
Link accompanying Post:
http://loveyourenemies.wordpress.com/2010/01/18/mlk-a-double-victory/
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