interdependency {glossary}

This came as we were researching laws for homeless teens. While some states allow 14 year-olds to declare independence, often resulting in homelessness, some are trying to restate that to a declaration of interdependence, where each teen is matched up with an adult. If we want to create spaces of permission, where learning is accomplished through living, we feel this interdependency will provide stability in the potential, and in fact encouraged, chaos.

When we set people free to choose their mentors, their connections, their interests, amazingly, we discover that we don’t need more resources. If you take a look at the community around you, there are incredible mentors and teachers and unlikely topics, in unlikely places.

There are countless means to learning what you choose to learn, by connecting. No end really. And the beauty of all of this, it isn’t an either or, but rather, an incredible and.

ie:     Imagine, an 80 year old, who most likely takes too much medication, his family/ friends rarely visit, so he       spends much of his time watching TV.

Imagine a 12 year old, who most likely takes too much medication, spends a lot of time playing videos games, yet who dreams of being and doing something similar to what the 80 year old has done and been.

Imagine these two connecting per passion, per choice, rather than per kindness. Soon, neither can wait to get up in the morning. And at night, well the 80 year old now has wifi, and is stretching his expertise to no end, from the curiosity and energy flowing over from the 12 year old, and vice versa.

This surpasses the issue of school, of achievement gaps, even of learning. This takes on the matter of what it means to be human and alive. A declaration of interdependence, being known by someone, could be more vital to a person than food, water, or shelter.

Imagine if we were to focus on feeding the soul, rather than on our current (often unquestioned) dependencies, ie: feeding the test scores, the number crunch.

We are because we belong. We are all connected.   – I Am (documentary by Tom Shadyak)

While some states allow 14 year-olds to declare independence, often resulting in homelessness, some are trying to restate that to a declaration of interdependence, where each teen is matched up with an adult. If we want to create spaces of permission, where learning is accomplished through living, we feel interdependency will provide stability in the potential, and in fact encouraged, chaos. This connection can provide the needed support, safety, accountability. The belief that you are known by someone is a most liberating feeling, an incredibly vital piece to freeing your mind up to being, to becoming you. [Howard gives sound advice for a good relationship: fun, has your back.]

This surpasses the issue of school, of achievement gaps, even of learning. This takes on the matter of what it means to be human and alive. A declaration of interdependence, being known by someone, could be more vital to a person than food, water, or shelter.

Imagine if we were to focus on feeding the soul, rather than on our current (often unquestioned) dependencies, ie: feeding the test scores, the number crunch.

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recommend: Gabor Mate, talk on attachment, and/or book, Hold On To Your Kids

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oh my. check out the interdependence movement..

notice Howard.. yay.

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thurman interconnectedness law et al

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