They were free of fixed perspectives, they could still change their minds easily, and, because of this, they are the ones who will make our tomorrow.

It was an amazing weekend; I watched teens with no voice, in just a couple days discover inner strength, direction and conviction.  I watched barriers of `programming’ start to fade away as they started to discover their real selves.  What a beautiful sight to witness.  It was an awakening I have never witnessed in a school, or even out of school except in rare, safe environments. 

Upon his graduation my son was asked by his uncle what he had learned in his years in school.    After a moment of confusion his uncle asked specifically if my son had learned to drive or do his taxes.  His point was that after thirteen years the education system had failed to prepare my son to participate.  It had neglected to teach him basic skills necessary to engage in this democracy he lives in.  Fortunately for my son, as for many others, his family had no intention of abandoning him so unprepared.  Yet many have been.
How many of us graduated from an education system with little or no direction and real skills?  And how many of us, years later realize that what we got was almost completely a wonderful, or in a few cases nightmare, social experience?  Other than learning to read and write most of us use very little of our thirteen years of learning. 

This weekend my faith was reaffirmed; change is happening in the hearts of our young people.  With a growing focus on self discovery and less on curriculum we are creating a wave of change in the world.  We are moving into a world where our young people are seeking to live their passion.  The beauty of living our passion is in our desire to celebrate common values of life, peace and freedom. 

Through experiences like this I maintain a hope for the world.