Human Potential, Though Not Always

¶ … Human potential, though not always apparent, is there waiting to be discovered and invited forth.

Recently, I read a story about a grandmother who learned to swim when she was sixty years old -- and joined her local YWCA's senior synchronized swimming team! When we say that we 'can't' do something, we shut ourselves off to our full potential, whether we are old or young. By meeting new people, forcing ourselves to try new things, and becoming more engaged with the world in a meaningful fashion, we discover new talents, ideas, and parts of ourselves. If we wish to discover our hidden potential we must be willing to subject ourselves to the educational process. If we are willing to make fools of ourselves and take a risk, change is possible.

Over our lives, we must always be seeking new and valuable teachers who can guide us. Similarly, teachers must be patient and recognize the potential in their students. A child who seems turned off to learning may be bright, but have had poor teachers in the past and negative learning experiences. The teacher must look at every child as a font of unrealized talent and ability, not as a closed book.

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all."

-Dale Carnegie

Reading this quote, it is difficult not to think of the recent election of President Obama. In the 19th century African-Americans were prohibited from voting or learning to read in America -- today, an African-American is president. African-Americans have won the Nobel Prize, become prominent litigators, politicians, writers and inventors, against all odds. To succeed in anything is a leap of faith. Conventional wisdom says that small businesses are likely to fail, that artists never 'make it' and that politics and society never changes. Unless conventional wisdom is challenged by those who have hope, no change is ever possible. There will always be naysayers who think that cynicism gives them the appearance of intelligence -- but there will also always be courageous people willing to challenge cynics.

"That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves." -Thomas Jefferson

I disagree very strongly with the idea that the government that governs best, governs least. Government can and should perform some valuable roles, such as providing social support for the poor, unemployed, and elderly. Government can provide its citizens with an education to better themselves, regardless of citizens' income, race, or location. However I do agree to some extent that disciplining one's self is important. Take, for example, the current obesity crisis. Clearly federal, state, and local governments have a role to play in curtailing obesity: requiring companies place nutritional labels on food, improving the school lunch program, cutting subsidizes to farmers that provide crops made into unhealthy processed foods, and expanding physical education programs and access to parks are all appropriate roles for government. But ultimately the individual alone can control how he or she eats and lives. Government can act as a facilitator to discipline (thus I disagree with Jefferson) but the individual must still regulate his or her appetites.

"In the sex-war thoughtlessness is the weapon of the male, vindictiveness of the female."