We are taught a lot of stuff in school. Some of it is helpful, the rest seems like ways to fill a (work) day. Didn’t some of us even ask, “Why do I have to know this?”  Honestly, wasn’t that a good question, sometimes?

The higher my education became, the more the facts changed.  Several times, I was told to forget what I learned in high school (some of you know professors really say that… it’s not just in the movies).

Math helpful. History…well, after my own higher education and curiosity, high school history seems like misinformation. Some things are always true, helpful to know. 1+1 =2.  Other facts taught in schools are just wrong. Christopher Columbus did not discover the Americas. The Emancipation Proclamation was about so much more than morals and ethics (though it is clear Lincoln was an evolving man on his own journey).

Or, did I just learn different B.S. ?

Below, are things that should be taught in place of “information”. First, I have a question- Why are we taught different facts, depending on our level of education? Further, different areas of the world are taught different facts (based on perspective, I suppose.) For example, kids from the U.S. are taught to use the word “pilgrims” with regards to our ancestors leaving England to escape persecution.  A Dutch person I know, was taught to use the word, “criminal” in the same context. Were we a nation of pilgrims or criminals? It seems no matter where you look, a single city or different nations- we are all being taught different perspectives about the same events.

The lack of neutrality is questionable at best, divisive and manipulating at worst. This is one way in which sides are created (why being divided is handy for a few people is for a different conversation). We need to question the things that divide us, for our wellbeing.  We are far more powerful united.

Things we should be teaching:

1. Facts are often based on perspective. Facts may be influenced by belief systems (e.g. there was a time when religion taught that Earth was the center of the universe.  This is commonly known, but if we are curious many other current examples can be found).
2. Kids should be encouraged to question things. All too often, I have seen the exact opposite happen.  Grown-ups don’t always want to deal with questions. It may lead to an awkward situation… often frustration is all that results.
3. Division works against us. When people are encouraged to take sides- this should be a red flag.  A message to divided is often underhanded and masked. For this reason, kids/people need only to notice how they feel.  True unity doesn’t feel bad.
4. Discernment is a practice that embraces the way our body feels to observe  truer facts.
5. We don’t have to become something. We are already something.  As we are built up to self- realization our fears naturally break down. One of the worst things I hear is, “be somebody. Become something.”  This idea of becoming something is often embracing an old image of working for someone else for a title, while reshaping happiness into productivity (for someone else).  The military breaks down to rebuild a person into a cooperative soldier.  Should we all be good at taking orders?
6. Keep your happy.
7. Trust yourself and that quiet voice (we often ignore).
8. All kids should be taught how to do the things originally only designated for women- home ec. (no, seriously).  Maybe if we called it something different like, “strong awesome people work” it would be better received. It’s everyone’s responsibility to have a part in his/her community.  Taking care of your personal space and family involves more than leaving to go to work.
9. Power and control are things we agree to give someone. Power and control can be taken back…ultimately power and control are not real without our consent.
10. Kindness isn’t being a doormat and can prove helpful.
11. We are not the labels we are given.
12. We can relearn how to deal with our challenges. We don’t have to choose to be like our examples.
13. Competition can be divisive. Being first, scoring high on tests, or being highly intelligent means nothing without the ability to DO something. Doing something without heart, usually looks like more of the same…and,
14. Everyone has something to contribute, it’s finding that something amidst the loud crowd that is challenging.