Broken but Strong

It's been an interesting journey thus far as a counselor-in-training. This summer was emotionally intense in a way I could never have anticipated - yes, I said, "emotionally intense." I cried a couple times [*cough* - what?] I took an individual counseling skills class plus a group counseling class, in which we the students, also doubled as clients/group members. This means that instead of role-playing different scenarios, we actually bring in real issues from our lives, to give us real material to work with, that we might encounter in a real therapy session. Are you noticing the trend here? Basically, things got REALLY REAL, with anxiety, tears, and fears flying everywhere because life provokes those feelings sometimes. In swimming through all those stories and related emotions, it is easy to feel sad, depressed, angry, etc., which I felt at times, but ultimately I came out on the other side marveling at the strength of the human spirit. 

We currently live in a society, in the US especially, that seems to be doing everything it can to not feel. It is as if we are on a mission to rid ourselves of any emotion in what I'd like to call the "blind pursuit of happiness," which seems to mean a life devoid of any other emotions. If you are down take an upper, if you are up take a downer, if you can't get it up take Viagra, if your kid won't simmer down give him/her Ritalin, and all for what? This is not to rail against medication, because it does serve a purpose when used properly, but we live in a pill-popping, instant-fix, on-demand society where your emotional and other troubles are a doctor's prescription away from resolution. What ever happened to going through stuff and coming out on the other side a stronger, better, faster you? 

Through this process of becoming a "counselor," I have learned a lot about myself, one thing being that I intellectualize my emotions. I reason them away, which probably means I have never really felt their full depth and intensity. This A-i-T is supposed to have his business together and appear cool, calm, and collected at all times. A-i-T's cracks could not show, and that took more work than I ever realized. Any of you ever been there? All that stress and pressure on myself to keep it together, really only resulted in more stress and pressure. I had spent so much time trying not to feel, that I forgot how necessary it is to just feel sometimes. Society tells us that we are weak when we cry - whether you are a man or a woman - yet through recent experiences, I learned the opposite to be true: Sometimes we are the strongest when we are able to cry...when we are able to sit through and deal with our emotions directly.

In A-i-T's humble opinion, in our self-medicating society, alcohol, pill-popping, sex, and other pursuits are mere distractions, with temporary results at best. Facing our emotions, now that's the real challenge. Life can be as hard as it is beautiful, and many of us are facing/will face health issues, death in our families, financial difficulties, heartbreak, etc. Yet, somehow, we manage to keep on going. In my program, I am surrounded by individuals who are going through stuff, and yet they manage to work, maintain relationships, family obligations, balancing their personal life with the demanding life of master's level work, all in the pursuit of becoming a "wounded healer" (credit to Maria for that term).

My ethics professor said it best, "If you don't think you have any issues, that's your issue!"  

What I am seeing, through my classmates, friends, and even in my own life, is that though we are all broken in some way, we are still strong. This may sound biblical to some, and I am not shy to say that's part of my worldview, but it's also just keeping it true. We are all much stronger than we think we are, we just need to give ourselves permission to be broken, and to cry a little if/when necessary... 

Fellow Adults-in-Training, in what areas of your life do you feel broken but strong? When was the last time you allowed yourself a good cry? 

Peace,

A-i-T

Avatar -- A 3-Hour Summary of Racial Politics and History -- Who Knew?

DISCLAIMER: If you have not yet seen Avatar and do not want the movie ruined for you, please stop reading. Otherwise, if you have already seen it or don't care, continue and enjoy... 

I watched Avatar the other day and it was visually one of the most amazing movies I have ever seen. The imagination behind the landscapes, inhabitants, and creatures of this alien world was truly breathtaking. Though almost three hours long, the characters and plot are engaging and well played out, all combining to completely capture one's imagination -- or mine at least. The technical wizardry that seamlessly blends live-action with CGI is light-years ahead of anything we've seen. In an interview I saw with the director, James Cameron, he spoke about how this movie was written more than ten years ago and had to be shelved until they invented the technology to tell this story...How ironic that the storyline is as old as the first European ship that ever set sale to discover distant lands...

 Summary: Sometime in the future, we have depleted the Earth's energy resources (shout out to the green movement), and we must rely on distant planets to provide our energy needs (what up OPEC!). We find ourselves on Pandora, a beautiful and pristine planet, reminiscent of the Amazon that is being clear cut and mined to obtain an energy rich and extremely profitable precious metal very appropriately/humorously named "Unobtanium." On Pandora dwell an indigenous people called the Na'vi, who live in harmony with this beautiful world and respect and protect its natural wonders. Through the eyes of a wheelchair bound ex-marine, Jake Sully, we witness a greedy corporation (read: "the West") destroying this beautiful land to obtain the Unobtanium, and of course the Na'vi's village sits atop the richest deposit on the planet. Through his Na'vi avatar, Jake is supposed to infiltrate and become part of the Na'vi people and either convince them to move, or pass on his learned intelligence for a military strike...as expected, conflict ensues... 

Despite its futuristic/intergalactic setting, Avatar is the story of imperialism, colonialism, and capitalism in its historical and modern forms. It is the classic tale of the powerful using, abusing, and exploiting those less mighty and usually darker-skinned. Avatar is the history of Africa and parts of Asia. It is the forgotten narrative of the aboriginal peoples of Australia, New Zealand, and the Americas. It hints strongly at being a sharp critique of the war in Iraq and other wars fought over precious natural resources. Avatar is a historical account of race politics, and every war of invasion and conquest ever fought for capital gains, except this time, the natives actually win -- but not without the help of a courageous conqueror turned defender of the good and noble people of the land. It is parts Pocahontas, The Last Samurai, and every cowboy and Indian movie ever made (Dances With Wolves much?). Avatar is a highly entertaining movie, but I wonder if it's creators fully intended it as a wake-up call for a modern world with a short memory of how current circumstances came to be? With all the eye-popping visuals, will moviegoers catch the critical messages? 

The racial issues in this movie are blatantly evident. The corporation though somewhat diverse, is a mostly White enterprise, especially reflected in the main characters. In contrast, the Na'vi are tall, blue-skinned, golden-eyed and beautifully exotic (a loaded adjective purposely used). Aside from their other-worldly features, 'other' being the operative word, the Na'vi from visual appearance to their their way of life  appear as a blend of Native American and African features, cultures and customs (think Apache meets Masai/Zulu warrior). They are a noble people who are connected to their surroundings in a way that is lost to our modern world. Nature and life in general are treated with the utmost respect and as supremely precious. Whatever energy or resource is taken from the earth must ultimately be returned in order to maintain balance. Their way of life may be looked upon as "simple" or "primitive," but by whose standards? 

The corporation, boasting machines, guns, and technology, represent the height of human advancement. They view the Na'vi as "savages" and seek to "civilize" them with the same "benevolent," eternally paternalistic mindset as the European explorers/colonizers of yore that landed on foreign shores with the aim of "teaching" the natives their ways with one hand while taking their natural resources and destroying their culture with the other. The corporation employs the familiar tactics of building schools and sharing technical know-how while pursuing ulterior motives. We must ask ourselves this question, who is the true savage? The one that rapes and pillages the land and destroys the native people, or the one who lives in harmony with their surroundings and respects all forms of life? 

"We are going to blast a hole in their racial memory that they will never forget!" 

This line from the movie made an indelible impression on me. I had to ask my wife if I had heard correctly because I was shocked when I heard it, even though it came from the mouth of the war-mongering, trigger-happy, marine mercenary leader. This line truly highlights the "us" versus "them" storyline in this film. As seen throughout history until today, when indigenous groups refuse to give up their land and resources after being "asked nicely," they must be taken by force. The corporation in Avatar is clearly representative of today's Western governments and multinational corporations, who often work in veiled collusion to exploit the resources and people of the "developing world" (another loaded term). If you don't believe me, please read Confessions of an Economic HitMan, by John Perkins, for an insider's account of how international politics and business play  out (Click here for Amazon.com page). 

The turning point of the story comes when Jake falls in love with the beautiful Naytiri, the Na'vi chief's daughter and his reluctant tutor. As she teaches him the ways of her people, Sully finally realizes that the corporation he has been playing the good soldier for is inherently evil and wrong in their actions. He courageously switches sides, confesses his sins, loses the trust and faith of his exotic love interest and her people, and yet somehow manages to regroup and return to become the chief of the Na'vi by accomplishing the one nearly impossible traditional right of passage worthy of chieftaincy. He returns triumphantly as the White knight riding the proverbial white horse, which in this case happens to be the most vicious aerial predator on Pandora, appropriately nicknamed "Last Shadow." Jake then unites all the Na'vi tribes from the four corners of the planet and successfully defeats the corporation. Hooray!  

This incredibly clichéd ending serves to highlight/perpetuate the  notion that indigenous peoples can never save themselves without the help of the oppressor, turned justice seeking crusader. Or is it pointing out a major truth?  

As some of you may know, A-i-T is Ghanaian and very proud of that fact. As a Ghanaian/African, I was perhaps more deeply affected by this movie because its themes resonate with my inherited and lived experiences. I realize that the solutions to the current issues must come from Ghanaians themselves, but I also recognize that Western governments and corporations still hold the reins of power -- that's just reality. Until they are willing to share those reins, and help uplift as partners rather than exploit the "developing" nations in this world, the status quo will remain unchanged. 

The Native Americans originated the saying: "never criticize a man until you walk a mile in his moccasins [shoes]." Aside from the visual feast that is Avatar, perhaps the most amazing part of the movie, at least to this A-i-T, is that it took Jake Sully literally putting on the blue skin of the Na'vi to understand their experiences and worldview and realize the errors/injustices of the corporation. To me, this is a powerful metaphor, whether intended or not, for what needs to take place on this planet for the betterment of race relations and ultimately for the benefit of our shared collective, as the human race... 

To me, Avatar was kinda deep...who knew? 

Adults-in-Training, this is what I saw when I watched Avatar...what did you get from this film...? 

Peace,

A-i-T

Does Lying Make The World Go Round?

Is saying everything that's on your mind the same thing as telling the truth? Or is it just living your thought-life without a verbal filter? 

A few weeks ago, I watched the movie, "The Invention of Lying" with Ricky Gervais (from the original UK version of "The Office"). To sum up the plot, Gervais's character lives in a world where everyone always tells the truth, until Gervais tells the world's first lie -- hilarity ensues. This movie got me wondering about the role that lies, partial truths, withholding of information, and all other forms of questionable "truthiness" (for all my Colbert Report fans) play in our day-to-day lives. What would happen if we actually lived in a world where we lacked the ability to lie? But let's rewind the tape for a second: "lacked the ability to lie." Maybe this is where the conversation should begin. Lying, just like singing, seems to be viewed by society as an ability, albeit a negative one (and some would even argue with that assertion). Let's rephrase that question: what if we lived in a world where everyone told the truth (the whole truth and nothing but) all the time? 

We've all been told by our mothers that, "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." Why then in this movie, did the truth come across as so mean? Does it reveal some inherent nasty/judgmental streak in all of us, which lying or filtering our thoughts serves to cover up? Think about how we smile and laugh with people we can't stand to be around, but haven't told them what's really good. Think about the hundreds of judgmental, critical, snarky thoughts/comments that pass through our heads on a daily basis that we simply never verbalize. What would happen if we let them loose, would our world be better or worse off for it? 

I wondered as I watched the movie, does lying make the world go round? Does keeping our negative thoughts/intentions to ourselves really make the world a more pleasant place to live or just give it a nice appearance? Where do you draw the line between telling the truth and giving out too much information? Wouldn't life be more transparent if we actually knew exactly what the people we interact with are thinking/feeling/seeing/plotting while we are talking to them? This form of "extreme truth telling" would put everything out in the open, but it seems that is exactly what we are most afraid of, and therein we find the entry point for lies. But what exactly about ourselves, our thoughts, and actions are we trying to hide?

I understand that we all need to keep certain things in reserve, but must we lie to do so? Living your life as an open book means that everyone you meet will know where you stand, but it also means that both well and ill-intentioned individuals get to read your story. I was raised to believe, however, that honesty is the best policy. I think of it as a sign of respect for yourself and others. I'm reminded of the novel/movie "Kite Runner," where the main character's father tells his son that stealing is the worst possible crime. In the context of this blog post, lying is equivalent to stealing someone's right to the truth -- and I find this to be a powerful analogy. The truth sets us free, whereas lies dis-empower... 

As there are many types and levels of theft, we also have multiple forms of lies: white lies, black lies, etc. and even "benevolent lies" that supposedly do more good than harm. Funny how there is only one type of truth, and any deviation from it renders it completely tarnished. But are lies only spoken? Can we also lie with our actions? With all these different avenues for lying, how and when do we tell the truth? Perhaps in the following situations:

1) Speak the truth when asked

2) Speak the truth when the situation dictates

3) If you decide to speak, you should say exactly what's on your mind. 

Adult's in training, what do you think about the role lies play in our day to day lives? Can we live in a truth only society or do lies play a necessary and integral role in making society function? 

Peace,
Nii Ato

Are We in Trouble?

DISCLAIMER: 1) I'm really not a fan of Soulja Boy or the current crop of ringtone generating artists.
2) My tone may seem a little shrill, but this piece is not an indictment on pop culture, but rather a call to examine the direction it is heading. I personally think things are more extreme than they were when I was a kid coming up...

I was at a wedding this past weekend dancing and having a good ol' time with friends, new and old and some young'uns ranging in age from 4 to 13. We are all gettin' down to group dance songs like the Cupid Shuffle, the Cha Cha Slide, and the inevitable grand daddy of 'em all, the Electric Slide, when all of a sudden the DJ decides to throw on some more recent joints...Enter Soulja Boy Tell 'Em...the following scene ensues...

"YOOOUUUUUHHH!!!"

The classic ringtone joint "Crank Dat" comes blaring through the speakers in all its steel drum glory. All Adults-in-Training proceed to groan, laugh, and roll their heads & eyes in recognition of this insanely popular but otherwise ridiculous song by an artist whose name will be forgotten in a year or two. The shock, awe, and awwww moments then came as all the kids on the dance floor from age 4 to 13 proceed to execute to near perfection (well, some better than others) the dance steps of this infamous song. Someone please tell me why two 6 year old boys were rapping the lyrics with near perfect delivery, while they executed all the steps like little Soulja-boys-in-training!?!? The little girls were right along with 'em. Repeat scene for DJ Unk's "Two Step." Then, as soon as some actual good music came on; 90's classics like Candy Rain (Soul 4 Real) and Motown Philly (Boys II Men), the kids scattered like a flock of startled birds...Hilarious...

The whole scene just as cute as it was disturbing, but it made me think, what are we teaching kids these days?!?! Who is raising our kids...is it us or MTV, BET, and VH1? Is it the slew of reality TV shows that we just can't seem to get enough of or the reality of a stable two parent household? Popular culture certainly has its place in all our lives, but when a six year old boy starts rapping "Supasoak that h@!" I think we've got a problem. Now at that age, he probably doesn't really understand what he's saying or the meaning behind the lyrics of the supremely "eloquent" song, but the impact of these songs, videos, and lyrics on a young impressionable mind cannot be taken for granted.

I'll freely admit to watching some of the junk that passes across the TV screen from time to time, but I can do it with a more critical eye and a higher level of understanding than a child. No child of mine, however, is going to be exposed to any of that stuff until they can digest it properly and truly understand it for what it is...(a little militant sounding, but I'd rather have them listening to Talib Kweli over Soulja Boy any day...)

Adults-in-Training, how do you feel about the impact of popular culture on today's youth? Are they in more danger of being negatively impacted by some of the media that's out there than we were? Or am I making a mountain out of a mole hill?

Peace,

A-i-T

Who Am I and What Did I Do...?

On my way to visit a friend the other night, I passed by a group of about 20 people setting up to sleep outside for the night on the sidewalk in front of a store. No tents, no sleeping bags, many didn’t even have the typical woven sleeping mat – their bed was the cold, hard concrete and the cloth they wrapped themselves in. Here am I driving in a car that I didn’t buy, with food in my stomach that I didn’t cook, and a roof over my head I will be returning to that I don’t rent or own but can live in as if it were my own. As these thoughts paraded through my mind, I thought to myself – “Who am I and what did I do to deserve the life that I currently lead?”

I recently finished reading the latest Malcolm Gladwell book, “Outliers.” This book helped put into sharp perspective for me that a lot of the comfort, achievement, and success, that I (and many of us) enjoy today came not as a result of anything that I did, but a combination of blessing (some say luck/fate) and the work of those that came before me. A lot of who I am and what I have today came as a result of being born into it – the work contributed on my part? In the grand scheme, virtually a drop in the bucket. But this is not to say that I haven’t worked hard -- little drops of water makes a mighty ocean – all of us are contributors at our own level.

The book talks about how inherent advantages, life chances, etc. can cause two people with the same capabilities to have completely divergent life outcomes. It explores random factors such as being born during a certain part of the year, coming of age during a particular time-span in history, having chance access to a new technology, etc.. These seemingly innocuous factors can contribute, purely by chance, to a skyrocketing trajectory for some, and a merry-go-round ride for others.

As many of you know, I come from Ghana. We are a nation with great potential which we are steadily working toward, but one thing we still struggle with is the creation of a true middle-class. Right now, to be frank, you either have or you don’t. This is a story that is true around the world – there may be more money in industrialized nations, but the income inequality can be just as stark. I remember my father sitting me down one day and telling me outright; “You are lucky. The fact that you can wake up and get in a car [albeit a nice one] puts you in a different position that a vast majority of people in this country [Ghana], and in this world.” How do you react to that?

This piece is not meant to be a guilt-ridden confession or change manifesto, of an advantaged, college educated, middle-class man. It is rather a wake-up call to remind myself not to get lulled into a state of self-satisfied smugness where I rest on laurels that I only partially earned. I was born to two highly educated parents, who in their own right have achieved quite a bit. They both come from a stock of education and achievement that afforded them their life chances and a somewhat predetermined path to success. I’ve been to good schools and was EXPECTED to go to college. I was even EXPECTED to attend grad school. And here I now find myself traveling an already well worn path, which my progeny will undoubtedly walk as well.

I count myself as blessed, and the trick is to remember it as I go about my day-to-day life…thankfulness and humility go a long way...

Adults-in-Training, we all come from different backgrounds and have taken different paths to where we are today, but do you recognize the blessings/luck/advantages in your life?

Peace,
A-i-T

Advice Needed: A-i-T is Going Back to School

I’m starting grad school in a couple of weeks, and my mind is racing as are my emotions. It’s been a full four years since I last sat in a classroom, wrote a research paper, or studied for an exam. Since leaving that focused environment, I feel slightly more than rusty in those areas, and find myself excited as well as anxious about being back in the trappings of academia. Raise your hand with me if you feel a little less smart (in certain ways) now than you did in college…? I know I do… (especially after reading some of my old essays!)

Grad school was always something I was working toward in the near future, but now that it’s finally here, part of me is still in disbelief. This is my first tangible step toward leaving behind jobs, albeit good ones, and embarking on a career in the field that I feel is my calling. I will be pursing a master's degree in Counseling Psychology, with hopes of ultimately becoming a therapist in private practice. This is one of those big life steps that can make you feel equal parts ecstatic and queasy.

“Am I ready and can I really do this?” “Am I as smart/hard working as the other people in the program?” “Do I remember how to skim for content?” “APA format, what’s that?” “How do I make it sound like I did the reading assignment?” “Who’s Cliff again?” “How do I get a good job so I can pay off this debt?” These are just some of the questions swirling in my mind.

I comfort myself with the fact that I am blessed having already been accepted – that’s at least 50% of the battle right? Now comes the fun part…! (a small hint of sarcasm on that)

Aside from the academic concerns, my thoughts also turn towards lifestyle changes ("wait, there's no paycheck!?!?"). I recently got married and am still adjusting to my newly acquired role as a husband. Working a 9 to 5 job allows you to leave your work @ work (which is lovely). Being back in school, I'll have to reacquaint myself with the concept of "homework" and the fact that there is always something you could/should be doing. How will I balance being attentive to my wife during those precious evening hours, while making sure to deal with the copious amounts of reading and writing I will inevitably have to do? It's enough to make a young A-i-T's head spin...

So I turn to you, my fellow Adults-in-Training: What advice can you offer me and anyone else getting ready to go back to school? How does one adjust to being back in academia? How does one juggle this new form of work/life balance? What are the most important issues to address to make this thing work?

This is a big step, so I want to make sure we do it right! Thank you in advance for your input for me and anyone else who is in the same shoes!!!

Peace & Love,

A-i-T

Manufacturing Consent

I recently decided to make a conscious effort to read more widely, deeply, and critically about the world around me, in order broaden and better inform my thoughts, ideas, and opinions (both news and literature). I figure that this is something any good A-i-T should be doing. We all know the saying that, “Knowledge is power,” but perhaps even more profound is the notion that the control of information is true power.

Remember the game, “Telephone,” that we used to play in school, where the teacher would whisper a message in one student’s ear and have it passed through a series of students until it was reported five to ten iterations later? Invariably, the message reported by the last student was quite different from the original. Now, replace students playing telephone in a classroom, with radio, television, and newspapers informing the masses. Added to this are layers of state or corporate owners, profit margins, shareholders, advertisers, and in some cases underlying agendas. Given the number of filters through which information passes before we consume it as end-users, how true to the original message could this information really be?

Using the US as an example, the majority of major (read, mainstream) newspapers, radio and television stations are owned by a handful of large media conglomerates, each with their own set of interests, political leanings, and philosophies. Companies such as Viacom, CBS Corporation, Time Warner, News Corp, Hearst, Sony BMG, and Clear Channel Communications control a large swath of the US media landscape and therefore the news and even the music we listen to. Now, if your favorite newspaper or radio station owes its survival to large corporations and various controlling interests, whose interests do they really have at heart when they disseminate information?

Does the media industry supply us with information or does it manufacture our consent/opinion? Is the latest 50-Cent song really fire, or were you told that it’s hot because you’ve heard it five times on three different radio stations in the same hour? Is the Obama administration’s universal health-care plan really going to resolve this major issue? The NY Times, Fox, and CNN will have three different angles on the story.

Where then should we as A-i-T’s turn for our news? Thankfully we have this wonderful thing called the internet that has democratized information sharing and has given rise to an abundance of independent voices (including this blogger) who can add to the general discourse. Granted, there is a lot of garbage to wade through on the net before you can get to credible sources, but once found, they can be an invaluable way to check and balance what we see, hear and read in the mainstream media. One site I recently got turned on to was Zmag.com (Znet & Zmagazine in particular). I suggest that you check it out.

Control of information, especially in the information age that we live in, truly is power, but let us not forget our own agency in this matter. We have complete control over what information we consume and ultimately place our faith in. As A-i-Ts it’s definitely our responsibility to make sure that our consent, to believe, to support, and even to buy, is informed, and NOT manufactured.

Adults-in-Training, where do you turn for independent sources of news? Let's help each other diversify our news sources. What do you think about how the majority of us consume news/information?

Peace,
A-i-T

Helping Out at Home...(It's Up to YOU!)

“It’s up to you. If your generation doesn’t fix Ghana, then it will not happen…” ~My Mom

As some of you may know, I am from the great nation of Ghana. Independent since 1957, we were the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to declare independence from colonial power (the Brits). Fifty-two years later, Ghana was also the first country that President Obama visited in Africa as we are one of the few blessed to have a solid record of peace, stability, and democracy. We have come a long way in our free history, but there are yet many miles to go in our journey of “development” (a tricky piece of jargon).

My mom made the above statement to me when I was a senior in high school (yo, the woman does not play!) and it has stuck with me since. Though some who know my history would consider me more of a New Yorker than anything; I declare that, my heart, my home is Ghana.

I’m back now for the first time in five years (a little older and wiser), and it’s evident that the visible progress (new roads, construction, etc.) is merely a façade obscuring the major issues beneath. The question is; what can I do? A seemingly impossible question, but many complex problems often have strikingly simple solutions…

Growing up, I had chores, and it was expected of me to help around the house. If your home is dirty, you clean it up. You simply cannot expect anyone else to do it for you. If you are good at sweeping, you sweep. If washing dishes is your thing, you go hard and do it well. If a family unit works together, each playing to their strengths, there are few issues that they cannot solve. Can’t similar principles be applied to community and nation-building?

Note: I am not forgetting issues like slavery; colonialism + neo; brain-drain; capitalism --> you must first have it to play the game; and strings attached development aid. They are part of a much deeper discussion we can have face-to-face :-)

Now, we all have a place that we call “home,” but I’m using the term in both specific and broad terms. Home could be anything from the country and/or city you grew up in, down to the walkable 1 mile radius where you currently reside. The issue remains the same; as we Adults-in-Training continue to grow into our future selves, complete with careers (not jobs), families and real grown-folk responsibilities, how are we going to use our work and/or volunteering to positively impact the ‘X’ on the map that we call home?

We are part of a generation arguably at the peak of human innovation and progress. Yet we are burdened with a global financial crisis, environmental, political and humanitarian issues that were unheard of just a generation ago. We are just getting to the age where we can truly make a difference, and if we get things moving on the right track, the future is indeed bright. No matter where or how big your home is, there are always things to be done…

Adults-in-Training, our collective homes are dirty, how are we going to use our strengths to help clean up? It’s up to YOU! If you don’t fix it, then it will not happen…

“Now go out there and be somebody!” ~Dave Chappelle

Public Service Announcement: Please do not use the term “third world country.” Simply put, “third world” by whose standards? There is only one world - it’s called Earth - and we all live in it. Thanks.

Peace,
A-i-T

Round of Applause -- Appreciating the Little Things in Life

I recently flew back to Ghana for the first time in five years, and it feels amazing to be home. While a lot of things have changed socially, culturally, and infrastructure-wise, some things have stayed exactly the same and I hope they will never change. What I am referring to in this particular case is a little "tradition" I'll dub, "the Ghana Clap." This is the burst of applause that erupts from passengers as soon as the plane touches down at Accra's Kotoka International Airport. I shared a nice little exchange with the guy seated next to me (we had not said a word to each other the entire flight) about how he always gets a kick out of the "Ghana Clap." I've personally flown to Ghana almost 20 times in my relatively short lifetime, and this little social artifact has rarely failed to be put on display (in my experience)...but where does it come from?

I would like to think that this little recurring event represents a beautiful collective expression of appreciation and thankfulness for the little things in life. Though air travel is currently recognized as one of the safest modes of transportation in the world -- the "Ghana Clap" shows appreciation for yet another safe landing at our final destination, and for the skill of the pilot that brought us in. Let us also not forget the tiny feat of human achievement, the plane itself, that allows us to sit in a chair that takes us from point A to B flying 30,000 feet in the air over land and sea in a matter of hours. The GC also acknowledges how happy we are to be home -- for some it's only been a few weeks, for others including myself, it's been anywhere from one to fifty years! The GC even just gives thanks that we were able to make the trip in the first place...

Adults-in-Training, we take so much for granted in our day-to-day lives...what things in your life deserve a much needed round of applause...?