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Conservatism, Reaction, and the Elder's Responsibility: A Message to My Age Grade

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Conservatism, Reaction, and the Elder's Responsibility: A Message to My Age Grade Great Day, Fam. This one right here? It’s not for everyone. If you’re not at or approaching Eldership—defined in our tribe as about 55 years old and up—you might not feel all of this. But if you’re curious, or if you’re one of those younger souls already walking with wisdom, you’re welcome to keep reading. This message is for the Elders. For those of us who should know better. And yes—I’m including myself. Let’s Start With the Mirror I’ve got to confess something. I’ve been guilty. Guilty of being reactionary. Guilty of falling into the trap of conservatism. Guilty of romanticizing the past. Guilty of looking at our young people and calling them “soft”—as if we were born warriors, as if we didn’t have to become who we are through fire, failure, and guidance. Many of us Elders are stuck in a loop. We remember only the highlights of our youth—the toughest times we survived, the boldest moments ...
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The Science of Why You Should Not Spend Energy Being Jealous

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When I was a kid I was always angry at the kids who got better grades than me. It wasn't their fault they studied harder and did their homework. They earned those good grades with hard work, not because they got lucky. Anger is a useless emotion, but one that we all experience. As a child I couldn't understand why I had to suffer so that some other child could succeed. But as an adult sharing my information online I've learned about getting results regardless of whether someone else is getting in my way. I know that when it comes to trying to be the best, most of us have the same problem. We're trying to be better than somebody else. We're trying to get in front of someone else, so that we can be seen and we can succeed. And if you compare the stories of great success with jealous people who haven't accomplished what they want, you'll find that they don't line up. You don't get results by being jealous or angry. Those emotions are only useful when th...
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The Secret Power Behind Community and Culture (sample)

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  From Ujamaa to Ubuntu, the African experience of community and the empowerment it leads to is well written about. Collective work and responsibility — ujima — is a simple word that carries a significant amount of power. It states that we are responsible for ourselves and each other — not just in our daily interactions, but also in building a better world for us all to live in. Imagine a group of people who truly understand what they do, why they're doing it, and how their problems can be solved by helping others solve their own problems. A group of people with everyday jobs working together towards a common goal. Ujima is a fascinating process in African culture. The concept itself — a synthesis of collectivism and empowerment — seems to be something that can be applied everywhere, not just by Africans. Whether you're simply redefining your job or trying to change the world, Ujima has shown to be an amazingly powerful tool. It's especially significant in education. It...
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