TOW #24 - Hearts of Fire (Part Two)

     It has been two months since I last picked up this book, Hearts of Fire, but the stories are just as thought-provoking as ever. Like last time, I commend the book for an appropriate balance of detail and plot advancements; the stories were just long enough to be developed, and short enough to remain interesting and active. However, this time, I noticed one aspect of the storytelling that was almost distracting: the wholeheartedly, resolutely Christian viewpoint of the writers. This initially seemed like a rhetorical weakness, but after further reflection, I see how it supports the ultimate purpose of this book to not only tell stories, but to give encouragement and strength to those facing any sort of faith-related struggles.

     My day-to-day reading material is overwhelmingly "secular-based," or at least in no way so openly faith-centered (though articles may have religious themes or undertones, or a writer may even directly address religion, it is not in the same confidence that this book has). At the time I found it slightly distracting, but I believe now that it was actually a very effective aspect of the writing. Maybe the authors did not even consider it (their faith may simply be that resolute), but the chosen tone of voice reinforced the central message of holding onto one's faith in all circumstances. Clearly, if any of the women's faith had wavered, the epilogues of their stories could have been very different.

     This aspect of the writing initially made me draw back a little; it was so unfamiliar that it sounded almost "biased" (which could be considered a rhetorical weakness, but as the large majority of readers of this book are likely Christian, it would not be a major issue). Yet as the idea continued to circle around in my head, it began to present itself as a refreshing sort of challenge. The idea that I was unsettled by this resolutely Christian perspective was an effective motivating force to refocus myself in terms of my faith. Perhaps it was intentionally written in this way with the hope of directly encouraging readers like me to further contemplate that sort of completely unwavering faith.

TOW #23 - Moral Bucket List

About once a month I run across a person who radiates an inner light…

I’ve achieved a decent level of career success, but I have not achieved that. I have not achieved that generosity of spirit, or that depth of character…

I realized that I wanted to be a bit more like those people... I was going to have to work harder to save my own soul.

     This year-old New York Times article from David Brooks is about people who "radiate an inner light" (the people we wish we could always be around and wish we were). Brooks provides a "moral bucket list" of things to do in order to acquire that sort of character. The article likely has one of the following three effects on readers: 1) It's life-changing. 2) It's abstract and completely boring. 3) It's initially thought-provoking but ultimately fades into the background after a few days, if not a few minutes.

     The third one is likely the most common, because the ideas makes perfect sense, but to carry them out requires substantial dedication and effort. In a world where the norm is "a self-satisfied moral mediocrity… You figure as long as you are not obviously hurting anybody and people seem to like you, you must be O.K.," many people don't see the point of expending extra energy to love those who hate them. Yet that kind of selflessness and spirit to serve is exactly what is required to build a character that shines. Some people find it easier than others - to forgive, to sacrifice, to smile instead of scream. Even so, it is a lifelong process for anyone: as Brooks writes, "wonderful people are made, not born."

     Unfortunately, it is true that "our culture and our educational systems spend more time teaching the skills and strategies you need for career success than the qualities you need to radiate that sort of inner light. Many of us are clearer on how to build an external career than on how to build inner character." Though I certainly have some teachers who aim to teach more than just facts, school remains an institution where kids are prepared for the career- and material success-related aspects of their futures. Schools do not offer classes on the concepts of selflessness and humility. They do encourage independence and tell us to follow your dreams. These fundamentally are not negative ideas; however, they forward what Brooks calls "a vision of life that begins with self and ends with self." He suggests that instead of building our lives around our own goals and desires in life, we step back and consider, "what is life asking of me? How can I match my intrinsic talent with one of the world’s deep needs?"

     It's not the first time we've heard about the importance of morality and spirituality. But every other time, the recommended process is deep self-reflection and self-reconstruction and self-motivation and self-satisfaction. Since that doesn't seem to be working, maybe we can finally realize that we should just stop thinking so much about ourselves. Instead, we can focus our energy on others. Derive energy and motivation from loving others, serving others, making others happy. Yes, your own happiness is important. Yes, you should take some time to self-reflect. But if you cannot let go of your self, that inner light will never grow beyond a dim flicker. That inner light is not a bulb to be flicked on, in hopes that it will make us brighter or attract others to us; it is slowly and steadily fueled by exchanges of love and sacrifice, tears and laughter, conversations and experiences.

     Should schools teach these things? Maybe, though I don't see framing it into a curriculum as being most effective. Honestly, the simplest way is to teach by doing - specifically, by kids encouraging this attitude and these actions among themselves.

     This sort of mindset will not make all of the world's problems disappear. The changed attitude of one person will not butterfly into world peace overnight. But if you are someone who hopes to someday shine an inner light, you can start by thinking in terms of everyone around you, not thinking of the whole world in terms of your self.

TOW #22 - Remember It Forever (Argument)

"Learn It Young. Remember It Forever." - Scouts, South Africa

     When you watch this commercial for the first time, you might think it's a short film. Then "Scouts South Africa" pops up at the end and you realize it's an advertisement. But the story still resonates deeply because it is clear how much more heartbreaking it would be if the boy had not learned CPR from a young age (presumably by joining Scouts, where many other skills are learned too).

     Both Scouts and CPR are often dismissed as unnecessary because those survival skills are rarely needed in everyday life. Though it is true that this sort of emergency situation is rare, it still happens, and it would likely be a horrible regret if you were to be unprepared. Whether you're unsure of learning CPR because you think it's unlikely and useless or because you're terrified at the idea of holding someone else's life in your hands, the time and effort spent is a thousand times worth the possibility of saving someone's life.

     Another common reason people are hesitant of CPR is the fear and/or disgust associated with performing it on a stranger. However, that is most often not the case. As seen in the commercial, with both a little boy performing CPR on his sister and a father performing CPR on his daughter, it is very likely the person in need will be a friend or family member, not a stranger (unless you spend all of your time wandering alone surrounded by complete strangers, which most people do not do). That emotional connection is displayed beautifully in the video and should really be taken into account as a reason to learn CPR.

     It is true that joining Scouts may not perfectly fit into everyone's life, and neither that nor learning CPR is necessary to live a fulfilling life, However, it can be assured that emergencies do occur, and everyone should seriously consider taking the time to better equip themselves as citizens by simply learning CPR. If we can spend forty hours a week sitting at school or an office, apparently to make ourselves useful in society, I think we can spare a few hours to learn some simple but potentially life-saving skills.