KNOW THYSELF

If I told you there is an institution that is base on your color, language, and writing to determine your status and ability to make money you would most likely think I am talking about racism. But I am not talking about racism, I am talking about gangs. Gangs are groups of people who come together under one color and make money most of the times illegally. If you don’t have their color or don’t belong to their group you will get hurt. They have their own gang symbols, language and dress codes. I guess I am now realizing the similarities between gangs and how our society is set up. I chose not to join a gang even if it meant that I couldn’t ride around in the new cars and have lots of money. Even if it meant I might get jumped walking down the street for not having on the right color. I feel the same way about myself as a man I will not join a group just out of fear that I won’t be able to make money. Or out of fear that I won’t be accepted and attacked because I am different. When I was younger I had to determine what was important to me and I stood up for my beliefs no matter what the consequences. Like Toya said today, it is about the ability to make a choice that makes all the difference. Yes, I want to provide for my wife and five children but not at the cost of loosing my values and myself, just as I chose not to join a gang but to wait for a better situation to come in my life. The only reason I have the strength to take a stand is because of my faith in God. I believe I only need to find His will for my life and everything else will fall into place.

Proverbs 16:7
When a man’s ways please the Lord, even his enemies will be at peace with him.

I pray when my life is over that God will say well done my good and faithful servant. People and groups change their ideas way too much for me to anchor my life decisions on their opinions.

Steve

The American School

As I am reading this book the one thing that hit me first is that schools were created to compensate for the failing FAMILY institution. Every group I have read about in this book talks about how they think education can save our society. We are now in 2011 with some of the same issues, still believing that education is this magic pill that will save us. The problem with this idea to me is that a person can learn ideas but they still have a choice to not live by those ideas. Every reform starts from top down. I believe the person and what they desire in life is what matters, at least to them. You can't have a country without people but you can have people without a country. This idea of ultimate control to be able to determine out comes by manipulating the educational process is not reality. Every person has the ability and right to make their own choice. I don't want to spend the rest of my life trying to control others put rather given them my love and support. I give my children advice but I always tell them no matter what road they choose I will always love them even if it is a life style I don't agree with. I find that the more I genuinely listen to them the more they listen to me because we have a mutual respect for one another's choices. I always tell my children "The Greatest gift of any human-being is choice. The power to choose whatever life you desire. Now reflect on your life and decide do you like your choices." Like Mann said" Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." A person is only a child for a very short period in their lives and even while they are still a child they begin to make their own decisions. My kids are very young but have decided that they like certain foods and dislike others. Yes, I try to convince them to eat their vegetables and even make them eat a small amount but that doesn't mean when they get older they will eat them. So it is best for my wife and I to first model certain behavior and continue to search for healthy foods that my children like. That is the beauty of being born, each individual decides their own journey. As a parent and teacher I want to serve and cheer my children and there dreams.

Steve

Ps. I am really starting to like blogging it is very cleansing process and to read others blog helps me understand myself better!