Our World Today Needs to Foster Higher Levels of Social Aspirations & More Effective Teamwork

This story is unfolding live, being written in one pass in the space provided. There is no shortage of details regarding the ills of today's society. Children committing random acts of violence against other children for no particular reason should be a wake-up call to society as a whole.
The entire system of the United States government has devolved into a system of blaming and finger pointing. Cultural and economic opportunities are disproportionately available to those who already have the greatest options. This fundamentally divisive principle is similar to the nations system of credit where credit is extended on very reasonable terms to those who least need it, while others who need credit the most are offered it only on the most disadvantageous terms, nearly guaranteeing their staying in a lower level of economic strata.

The economic division along sharp class lines of those having wealth and those who do not, is inversely mirrored in our schools. In schools individuals who are barely managing are often given the greatest support. Alternatively those having the highest talents might not even be given the opportunity to tap into a part of their potential. It’s not that we are lacking the proper resources; it’s rather a problem of not having the proper vision and creativity.

The missing element revolves our collective inability to build teams out of the diverse fabric which our intricately woven society is comprised of. In the end usually individual accomplishment is rewarded, while the people behind the scenes are hardly even recognized. Unfortunately lack of recognition is only the beginning. In order to evolve as a society and build ourselves into a better world, community by community, we need to re-examine exactly what is taking place with how our children are being inoculated with whatever values seem to be the popular values of the day.

We have effectively failed to provide our children with the basic foundations of how they as individuals take an active role in the society which they not only must fit into, but must build as well.
The requisite creativity for visionary type problem solving are not fostered or even touched upon in our schools. Goals of developing self sufficiency and independence need to be taught alongside the basics or reading and writing. Young people need to be taught to become leaders, innovators and problem solvers. They need to be provided with the methods to effect changes in their own microcosm of society which they will soon take their part in.

Teaching others starting with our children, to recognize the uniqueness and individual abilities of those around them is a key to developing the sort of teams and teamwork which is what will be needed as the essential coping mechanisms to pull our society as whole out its current downward spiral. Teaching young people how to achieve financial independence and a spirit of inventiveness, is something which can be done even for our youngest learners. Developing self-sufficiency and learning how to empower one's self as well others is at the core of these important values.

By focusing our efforts on achieving the greater good and overall betterment of society in the classrooms with the youngest students, and continuing through the higher grades, is the method by which we as a society can heal itself. Fostering an attitude of teamwork and shared coping, by embracing each other’s differences, is what can break this downward momentum where our children are currently teetering on the edge of doom.

Yes, the individual, and individual achievement is of importance, however how we as individuals can work together to accomplish greater things is of even greater importance. In my humble opinion it is the value and importance of teamwork which is greatly lacking in our society as a whole.

I was inspired to find this website because of the beautiful imagery and music of the current television commercials. So even if my own personal story is perhaps not what was being sought by this website, it is my hope that my own personal vision for a better future might be shared via this platform.

Stephen C. Sanders
A Struggling Visionary
January 14, 2014

Submitted by Anonymous

Teamwork