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Unteachers
The more experienced we are, the more unlearning we have to do
By The Minimalists
We enter this world as creators, curious to discover ways to express ourselves visually, auditorily, kinesthetically. But, over time, we are taught to be more “realistic,” to be “safe” and “reasonable” and “normal.” When, in truth, we never wanted to be safe or reasonable. Maybe we wanted to be normal, but today’s normality template is far from what most of us had in mind at age five.
Growing up, we wanted to be ourselves. That was normal. But soon, we were placed in a classroom, told to stand in line and speak when spoken to, and prescribed ADHD medication if we got out of line. This methodology worked great for creating factory workers and farmers, which seemed ideal when 90% of the population was either the former or the latter.
Today, however, most people are neither factory workers nor farmers (and even those positions have changed radically in the past few decades), and yet we’re all graced with the assembly-line mentality, systematically programmed for compliance, expected to adhere to external standards while disregarding whatever our own internal normal was.
During this process, our creativity is quashed and replaced with a vast emptiness, a desire to create, even though we’re told we’re not creative. It’s no coincidence we start focusing more on consuming around the same time, looking for any(material)thing to fill the void.
“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” Picasso had this observation a century ago, and, unfortunately, these words ring even truer in today’s postindustrial world, a world where our vocations no longer ape the form of quasi-creation (a la farming and factorying), and thus the gap between creation and consumption widens as we attempt to buy what no one can possibly sell: individual creativity.
The strange thing about this antiquated system is that most of its gatekeepers—government officials, school administrators, and teachers—aren’t operating out of malice. If anything, their reaction is birthed from apathy or comfort or both. Many teachers, in fact, are just as disenchanted with the whole mess as we are, though they often feel like just another faceless cog in the wheel, powerless amongst the tyranny of bureaucracy.
Thankfully, there are alternatives. For children, there are home schooling and unschooling and wonderful programs like 826 Valencia. And for adults, the options are endless; there are books and blogs and writing classes and conferences. Plus, there are scores of people like The Minimalists—people who’ve rejected the system and aligned their lives with their values—who function not as teachers, but as unteachers, helping people unlearn the malarkey they’ve acquired over the years, so that they, too, can become unteachers and help spread creativity and ideas.
Of course, none of these alternatives are easy, per se, but then again it is way too easy to stand in line, to raise a hand when we want to speak, to blindly follow authority, to capitulate, and, above all, to comply. No thanks!
The easy route is easy because it’s a vacuum, devoid of meaning, vacant. It also lacks innovation and beauty and all the unspeakable qualities that makes life exhilarating and worth living. Naturally, the scenic route takes longer to travel, but the experience is worth it. To traverse the windy coastline takes more time, sure, but so does anything worth pursuing.
2020 Vision
Evaluating our intentions halfway through a wacky year
By Alicia Woodward
Way back in late December, most of us looked ahead to the new year with enthusiastic focus and clarity. Six long months later, it might seem our attempt at 2020 vision was blindsided.
We never saw it coming!
The coronavirus pandemic. A presidential impeachment. Record-breaking unemployment. Wildfires. US drone assassination. Murder hornets. A global shut-down. Deadly plane and helicopter crashes. Social unrest. Saharan dust clouds. An imploding economy. It's enough to forget the UK left the EU and Harry and Meghan packed up their baby and left Buckingham Palace.
In times like these, we're tempted to throw all that vision stuff right out the window, but having a clear focus for our lives is even more crucial during uncertain times. Truth be told, people have always lived in chaotic times. That’s the human condition.
An extra wacky year is no time to abandon our resolve to live a more intentional life. “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision,” wrote Helen Keller.
Since we are halfway in, now is a good time to check-in and see how we’re doing. My own vision for 2020 was encapsulated in the word seasons. Come along with me to see how I’m doing so far, particularly in light of the unexpected pandemic.
This year I envisioned more consciously delighting in the natural beauty and seasonal gifts offered by nature. Honestly, the lockdown made this even easier. Since we’ve been staying home, I spend lots of time watching our world slowly morph from winter to spring to summer. Against the backdrop of the daily news, I’ve appreciated more than ever the peace and beauty nature faithfully provides.
This year I envisioned embracing my current season of life. At 58 years old, I’m as comfortable in my own skin as I’ve ever been. In the scheme of things, wrinkles, age spots and wild gray strands of hair seem like silly things to worry about. I’m grateful for a body that will never be tall and thin, but is fabulously strong and healthy. When I hear the increasing number of people who have tragically died from Covid-19, I’m reminded of my own mortality and the importance of enjoying all my days.
This year I envisioned being compassionate to those in more challenging seasons of life. Since my husband and I are retired, we haven’t had to navigate working from home. We haven’t faced unemployment or financial insecurity. We haven’t felt loneliness or isolation. The pandemic has given us the opportunity to extend help and empathy to those who don’t have it as easy as we do right now.
Evaluating our vision for the year brings it back into focus and reminds us to make it a daily priority. So what was your 2020 vision, and how’s it going? There are still six months left in this crazy wonderful year. What do you intend to do with those months, weeks, days, and hours?
Nelson Mandela offered this wisdom:
“Action without vision is only passing time, vision without action is merely day dreaming, but vision with action can change the world.”
A Little More of Less
A few other articles we think you might enjoy…
Modes of Life by Carl MH Barenbrug
Essential Meaningful Productivity by Leo Babauta
The Simple Cure for Writer’s Block by Seth Godin
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