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Lindon's Keyboard - The Need to Grow

At the turn of the century a college education was valued however it wasn’t considered necessary. Instead, vocational training and hard work were considered the surest ways to success. Simultaneously, the institution of marriage was firmly held together with traditions, both cultural and religious. These traditions outlined the courtship process, the duties and responsibilities of the couple and played a major role in setting the expectations of what married life would be like. Because so much of our life followed along well-worn paths laid down by our family and the society in which we lived, we were not pressed into thinking for ourselves. We were not overwhelmed with choices. People did not have to decide how to manage money in a two-income household, or whether they wanted to raise a child as a single parent. We didn’t wonder if the company we worked for provided the right environment for us to fully realize our potential and have a fulfilling life.

Consequently we lived a simpler life. I cannot say that people on a whole were any more or less happy. I don’t know how many lived in unhappy marriages or complained about how dissatisfied they were with what they got out of their jobs. Genocide was still a nightmare that erupted from time to time throughout the world and people still lived in poverty, unable to provide simple basics for themselves or their families. Statistically however, violent crime has risen dramatically, homelessness plagues a larger percentage of our population and the divorce rate for couples starting out in 1990 is likely to be a staggering 67 percent. In addition new diseases are being registered and many of them are thought to be stress related.

Following World War II it became more and more important for people to get a college education if they wanted to rise above a manual labor wage. Technology drove changes in the workplace that required a higher education if one wanted to get ahead. Technology also drove changes in society. Because we could produce far more goods at a faster pace for less money, people began to see themselves purchasing based on gratification rather than need. Items that use to be out of their price range were now affordable, or at least the impression was that they were affordable. We added the concept of credit (thank you Visa and MasterCard) and furthered our idea that we had a right to it all. Our government took an increasingly stronger position that everyone had a right to certain "basics", these basics have never been clearly defined or agreed upon. In addition, out of the technological advancements came the television and other forms of mass media all of which were affordable to the majority of the country. This exposed people to things far beyond their reach, however, it did plant a seed. In some this was a seed of inspiration to achieve, for others it was a seed of discontent representing what was lacking in their lives.

So what did we do to prepare ourselves for all these opportunities? I think very little, or at least not enough fast enough. We are now faced with so many choices and freedoms that it can be overwhelming. I believe in order for people to feel that they are satisfactorily accomplishing the bare minimum they will need to develop both their levels of self-awareness and a keener awareness of their environment. They also need to be able to clearly identify and articulate what they are feeling, what they want and what they need. When our lives were guided by traditions, cultural influences and limits in our thinking and awareness, it wasn’t necessary to take such a large percentage of responsibility for our lives. In other words, freedom to choose requires that we be more responsible.

Our society is more educated today than it has ever been. It is not, however, a society that exhibits much in the way of self-awareness or personal responsibility. This is evident in the amount of civil litigation where everyone blames everyone else. It is also evident in the number of failed relationships and personal bankruptcies. The education received both in the home and within our schools was not designed to develop self awareness, it was designed to give us right and wrong. This lack of preparedness is a root cause of what plagues us today.

As long as we limit our education to the traditional forms we are accustomed to we will further our descent into a modern version of the dark ages. That was a time when the poor degenerated into hostile bands, and the rich feared for their lives and property. So great was their fear that they wouldn’t leave their homes (castles). Eventually, some enlightened leader or group will realize that without the proper education there will be no reversal of the trend and all will be threatened. The education needed when Charles the Great (Charlemagne) ruled Europe, consisted of basic learning and a return to the arts. The education led to the Renaissance period where mankind’s genius displayed itself throughout the western world.

Today’s education must consist of the development of our ability to live life with awareness and consciousness. There is no alternative today just as there was none for Charlemagne in 768 AD. The consequences are just too extreme.

Humankind has repeatedly shown the capacity to ignore the truth that could lead to its own destruction. Yet, it seems when the issue reaches some critical decisive moment, wiser minds and compassionate souls prevail and lead us out of harm’s way. While humankind may prevail many individuals will suffer. If you don’t want to be one of those who suffer and you would like to contribute to the healthy growth of our society, you must lead the way and inspire others to do the same. Seek out the education and personal growth that was lacking as you grew up. You can further that even more by raising your kids or providing a workplace for your employees that fosters awareness and conscious living.

Don’t live in the dark ages. Invest in yourself.