family 

The Art of Teaching

The art of teaching is to simplify the complicated and to complicate the seemingly simple.

The Irony of Wealth

It seems ironic that the great wealth of our nation has served as a means by which our relationships have become impoverished. We have bought into the notion that we are sufficient in and of ourselves. With enough money everything can be brought into our homes. We need never leave our safe places of refuge and so come in contact with others or have any sort of meaningful exchange with them. Why go out if everything can come to you? Why join together with others if you can achieve what you want on your own?

When one is poor, group collaboration becomes a necessity, a matter of survival. For example, living alone is not an option because of the exorbitant amounts charged for rent and utility bills. These costs must be defrayed by sharing them with others. Living together forces interaction and creates new relationships or perpetuates old ones. Having to accommodate the needs and adjust to the idiosyncrasies of another also keeps one from becoming too self absorbed and isolationistic. Those who are wealthier often live by themselves, thus further shutting themselves off from community. Wealth is not always a blessing, especially when it comes to teaching interdependence and reliance on others--two good lessons necessary for community.