- Teal Furnholm
- Dover, NH
- United States
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How to Kindle a Child's Hope in an Adult's Heart?
So many of the TED talks, grassroots movements etc... are reaching out to kids, about educating and motivating kids. But kids ARE energetic, their hearts aren't tainted by the bitterness of life's disapointments. I want to know, HOW DO WE RE-ENERGISE ADULTS? How do we get them to remember the wonder and awe they felt as children towards the world? To remember curiosity and the joy of simple acts of discovery and kindness. Not having despair or cynicism, but strength and compassion in the grim face of reality. That, regardless what the media wants us to think, there is hope and they can still make a difference no matter what age they are!
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Don Wesley 50+
I have read your reply to my answers to your question [very carefully]
I am responding to the following one paragraph you wrote:
"Children are trusting, they are quick to find the joy of the moment. I only wish that adults, setting aside the fear and fatigue that holds them hostage, could find the child within and, not self conscious or fearing ridicule, learn to play once again. Maybe with a hopeful outlook towards life, we can make the next leap in social/cultural/spiritual evolution."
1. - My observation of children [over decades] allows me to declare that trusting children only grow in the care of trusting parents.
2. - As a child [From The Silent Generation - 1930's] I learned alone without the presence of my parents. They were at war!
3. - I am not hostage to fear and fatigue, etc.
4. - You have "labeled" adults as needing to be re-energized; A social problem in need of care; with their hearts tainted by the bitterness of life's disappointments.
5. – Your label does not honour your parents; they did morally good work overcoming the evils of their time.
6. – Most TED talkers are parents and grandparents; are they to be included in your label!
Teal, it would be morally right to energize your generation
to overcome the suffering victims
who exist in the world; victims of man-made disasters!
As a Great grandparent I urge to carefully re-read my contribution to your question.
I am talking about adults with kindness and loving attitudes
and brilliant hope; filled with empathy and delighting
in the genius of children.
Teal, please don’t waste your precious abilities and passion
trying to change the moral mindsets of your elders.
Love
Don
Teal Furnholm
It seems many TED talkers have figured out how to have a joyous inner child. Their eyes are open to the wonders of the world. That is why I posed the question on TED. I have observed (with the eye of a scientist, not idly) that most of the people in the midwest where I come from seem on average rather 'blah' about their existence, really only actively concerned about their family and making ends meet. It is the grand american rut, we need to get out of as a society. I am looking for the right thing to say/do to re-awaken their drive to discover, ease their brows. What would you say to someone in a rut in their life? Or maybe the question is really, how to get people into a mindset to have an interest in the things talked about on TED?
Don Wesley 50+
I applaud your study of Microbiology. My son Steven also excelled in microbiology and is now a Psychiatrist. My brother Vincent was Professor of Geophysics at the age of 24. My brothers son and his wife have Ph.D. in Particle Physics. And my early education included a physics/math major and Military Science. I was a commissioned officer in the military at 19 years of age. Later in life, the Behavioural Sciences became my specialty. That all being said, science has not been able to address the most pressing issue for humanity.
Billy Graham in his TED Talk also applauded the marvellous achievements of science, but made clear that we had failed to overcome evil and man-made suffering.
Billy Graham on technology and faith
http://www.ted.com/talks/billy_graham_on_technology_faith_and_suffering.html
[As an aside] Of course nothing is ever black or white, but I sense that a “factor” of “Pride” is keeping you from feeling empathy and kindness towards understanding my message. I plead that you rethink your mindset. It would be a great opportunity lost in my opinion if you didn’t.
I hope this helps enough to earn your thumbs-up.
Your courage to post the question has helped me to understand your position; a thumbs up to you!
Aware of and caring about you and all of humanity
Don