Having fun is actually pretty hard, Arthur

When I was much younger, I watched the PBS Kids show, Arthur, with my mom. The show was a big part of my childhood, and I still remember most of the episodes. Some episodes would even have musical numbers. One of my favorites was the "Library Card" song. The song was encouraging viewers to obtain a library card so they would read more books and have "fun" doing so. It was a great message, but it was a bit misleading.

The chorus goes as such:

Having fun isn't hard, When you've got a library card.

 And the rest of the song has phrases like:

Come on inside,
We've got everything you need.
There's plenty to do,
Or you can just sit and read.

and

And all you need's this little card
To borrow 'em for free!

and

You can take 'em home
So you don't have to
Read 'em in a hurry.

Arthur made it seem as though I could just walk in to a library, ask for this card, grab a book, and begin my adventure. However, today at the Frisco Public Library, when I asked for a card (I had always used my mom's card and today I thought that since I'm a big kid now, I should get my own) they asked me if I was eighteen. I wasn't and admitted it.

They proceeded to inform me that I needed a parent to fill out the application on my behalf because I wasn't "old enough". I was so excited to check out my library books under my own name and prove my coming of age, but I let a television show (that doesn't mention the complications of the legal system) get my hopes up. I walked out of the building with my head hung in shame that I couldn't even apply for something as simple as a library card...

Once I got home, I had an epiphany. I realized that it's the 21st century online piracy was a thing. But I stopped myself when I remembered something else that Arthur had addressed: "There are other ways to get what you want without stealing, D.W.". So I just used Overdrive to legally get an electronic version of the book I wanted.

Arthur almost made me a criminal, but also stopped me from making the wrong choices. I wonder what other decisions he's influenced in my life. What would I ever do without the helpful aardvark?

Thanksgiving 2015: 2+0+1+5=8 Things I'm Thankful For

Thanksgiving: a time when families come together and take a moment to realize how blessed they are. People's hearts are filled with gratitude and appreciation and a love for one another while their stomachs are filled with platefuls of delicious food.

Today, I want to share with you what I am thankful for. Some of these are cliches, but I don't think that's a bad thing. Instead, I find it wonderful that enough people are thankful for something that is so commonplace and taken for granted. The year was 2015, so I thought it was appropriate to list 8 things as 2+0+1+5=8.

The first thing that I am thankful for is family. My mom, dad, and brother have always been supportive, encouraging, and influential in everything that I have done.

My mom has always been one of my greatest role models. She's smart, funny, cultured, and cool. She's always been there to talk with even when she isn't too familiar with the subject (which is very rare; she's really smart). She's the one I (almost) always consult with before making a big decision.  She was there helping me achieve my Eagle Rank, she was there helping me start Philanthropy Kids, she was there helping me make a difference. She was there to help me become a better me. Thank you mom.

My dad has always been the family member who was the proudest of me. Every time I overhear a conversation that he's having with someone, he is talking about something I did. In Boy Scouts, my dad was the one who would bear the coldest, wettest, most intensive campouts just so he could be there with me on the other side. My dad has always believed in my ability to achieve greatness, and as long as his faith in my performance is there and as strong as it is, I can do anything. Thank you dad.

I always say that if I can't be as smart as my mom, at least make me as smart as Dave. My brother is one of the most inspiring characters in my life. His passion to learn some of the hardest and most challenges subjects and then teach others that subject is something that I admire in a person. His diligence and ability to get something done is something that I want to gain from him. He has started to accomplish so much and I couldn't be any prouder of him. Thank you Dave.

The second thing I am thankful for are the Dallas Cowboys for reminding me that Dallas can't be the best city for everything. Thank you for helping me realizing that perfection is unattainable, but if you have enough hope, maybe something will happen (not for them this season after that loss tonight).

The third thing that I'm thankful for are the relationships that I have been able to create with the people who I meet. I was taught from a very young age by parents, nannies, and teachers that caring for others and realizing that everyone has meaning and purpose is one of the most important things I could do as a human being. My life has been an journey of circumstances that add names, numbers, and email addresses to my contact list. Because I have been able to maintain the relationships with so many people and understand who they are as individuals rather than a homogeneous "society", I have gained, mentors, friends, brothers, sisters, and even students. I've met these characters at daycare, at school, through sports, at community events, in the neighborhood, and on airplanes or buses. Most of the time, the meetings were fortuitous, but it still happened. I have people who care about me and I have people whom I care deeply for. I'm so thankful for that.

The fourth thing that I am thankful for is a person who has helped me define my life. He is Bob Hopkins. He introduced me to philanthropy, gave the motivation to pursue it, and helped me find my purpose. He has always been wishing for my best and has mentored me and advised me whenever I needed his help. He is a pillar in the Dallas community and a pillar in my life.

The fifth thing that I'm thankful for are all of the teachers who have not only given me the knowledge that help me solve really hard crossword puzzles, but also given me the confidence to be proud about my intelligence and realize that "it's cool to be smart". I have developed a hunger for knowledge that at times feels insatiable. My teachers have given me opportunities to go out of my comfort zone and learn something that I had never even thought about engrossing myself in. My teachers have helped me relate to people better by having me collaborate with people who know significantly more or significantly less about a certain subject in hopes that I will either learn something remarkable or teach something remarkably. I love thinking, especially about how grateful I am for my teachers.

The sixth thing that I'm thankful for are the failures that I've faced. They have helped me learn more about other people and about myself. While I always reflect much of these incidents and I feel bad, I understand that it is in the past and the only option I have is to grow and move on. These failures range from times I've hurt someone's feelings to a business decisions gone awry. And now, I can tell some really cool stories about these failures and guise them as "advice". These failures have allowed to become a type of mentor. I am stronger because of my failures. I am thankful for my failures.

The seventh thing that I'm thankful for are grilled cheese sandwiches. Because dipping anything else in tomato soup when you're sick is just ridiculous. Also, because my mom makes the best ones. Thank you grilled cheese for reminding me that you don't have to be extravagant to be important.

The eighth thing that I'm thankful for is community. It's hard to describe in words, but I just love seeing people interact with each other. I like to see people becoming closer with one another and begin sharing life stories. I love seeing people care for their fellow man. I really like how many good people there are and how willing the usually are to stand up to the bad people. I really like how people come together an celebrate whatever it may be with friends and family. There's a warmth in a community that is driven by love even when the temperature starts to drop. Maybe that's why the holiday season just feels so good.

The holidays are the time when everyone gets closer to their neighbors, their families and their friends. Build the community and be sure to spread the joy.

Happy Holidays!

-Amit

Just Another Weekend as Amit Banerjee

This weekend TEDxSMU had its 7th annual TEDxSMU and TEDxKids conferences. I was so excited to again be a part of one of the biggest weekends in Dallas. This year was my 5th year with TEDxSMU and my 4th as Youth Advocate. I have seen all the different parts of the conference: I've been an attendee, volunteer, emcee, and presenter. I've become a part of the TEDxSMU family.

About three weeks ago, I was asked by Heather Hankamer, the director of TEDxSMU, to provide a recap of the TEDxKids event for the adults at the Saturday conference and talk about its impact. I was so honored to be given another opportunity to get up on the TED stage.

Maus Middle School reunion at TEDxKids

On Friday, as I walked into the Dallas City Performance Hall for TEDxKids@SMU, I saw middle schoolers running around outside with their high school "hosts" trying to keep up with them so they don't get lost. I knew already that today was going to be an amazing day with lots and lots of energy!

I went inside to pick up my name badge, and I go to find Heather. She explains to me that my role for that day was to play reporter. I was to take notes on EVERYTHING that happens. From the talks by the presenters to the laughs and cheers from the audience to the excitement of attendees to the discussions that the "hosts" are having with their groups, I wrote it all down. I was watching the talks, running around asking kids what they think about TED, getting quotes from the volunteers, helping the Young Fellows with whatever they needed, taking pictures with the different vendors, and talking with the presenters. It was very hectic, but was so much fun. I captured so many different perspectives about the conference that I felt I attended it at least a hundred times. Now, I was ready to prepare my presentation for the adults' conference.

Introducing the Catalyst Arts Movement on Friday

At the Saturday conference, I was watching the presentations and preparing my speech. I was making progress. I had gotten three weeks to mentally prepare myself, and now I have gotten about 18 hours to actually prepare my presentation. It was a bit of a challenge to get everything together, but I was ready...until about an hour before I was to get onstage. I was in the Green Room going over my talk when Kelly, one of the emcees, calls me out into the hallway to tell me something. She asked me if I was okay with introducing myself. I excitedly said "of course!". She asked me if I was okay with introducing the speaker after me. I hesitantly said "sure...". Then, Kelly told me that somewhere in the presentation, I needed to tell the audience members to check under their seats for cards with pieces of advice written on them by a TEDxKids attendee. I gave Kelly a look of confusion because I didn't know if I could incorporate that into my presentation, but I said that I'd do it because I knew it'd be a fun addition to a presentation about TEDxKids. After a little bit of reorganization, I added the surprise into my talk. With 45 minutes until my talk, I go to Kim and David Leeson, the couple who were taking and processing pictures of both events, to get a couple of pictures from TEDxKids so I could make a powerpoint to accompany the talk. They said they'd send them my way as soon as they got the chance.

It was crunch time. The audience was just dismissed for a snack break before the last session. I knew I needed to finish the powerpoint fast. The pictures of kids from Friday were finally sent to me, and I quickly made the powerpoint and sent it to the stage crew. The adults were still on their break, and Rives, the other emcee, comes to me and tells me that he's going to add ANOTHER surprise to the already content-filled presentation: he said that the Catalyst Arts Movement was going to come onto the stage and use the slingshot to throw stress balls into the audience, just like they did the day before. It was at this point when I realized that I may have taken too much on my plate and I was more than overwhelmed. I agreed to have them come on and gave them a phrase that would be their cue. So now, I had to introduce myself, give the TEDxKids presentation that involves telling the audience to pick up the advice cards and bringing out a stress ball slingshot, AND introduce the next speaker. I didn't know how I was going to do this. This sure was #UNXPECTED

After the attendees went inside to watch the last session, I stayed outside and talked with Andres and Sofia Ruzo. They assured me that Kelly and Rives know about my abilities as a speaker, and they wouldn't have given me these responsibilities if they knew that I couldn't knock it out of the park. I realized that Andres was right. I could do this, and I could do it well!

Onstage with Joaquin Zihuatanejo
after the conference

After Joaquin Zihuatanejo gives a heart-wrenching talk, I went up onto the TED stage and introduced myself (check) and began my recap; I talked about what TEDxKids is, why we have it, and how everything happens (check). During this, I told the audience to check under their seats for the advice cards (check) and called out the Catalyst Arts Movement and began to launch t-shirts and stress balls into the audience (check). I concluded my talk about TEDxKids and introduced An Ranson, the next speaker (check). I was walking offstage and I was elated!




There's something magical about the red dot on the TED stage. Once you step on it, all of your fear and nervousness vanish. I was anxious, overwhelmed, and stressed about my presentation even though I had been on that stage five times before. Because of the faith that Kelly, Rives, Heather, Andres, Sofia, my parents and several others had in my abilities, I was able to talk as though I had prepared for weeks. It was definitely one of the most exhilarating learning experiences I've ever had.


TEDxKids and TEDxSMU were again an experience like no other, and I can't wait for it all again next year!

You can watch my talk at http://livestream.com/tedx/TEDxSMU2015/videos/102190777 just at the 3:34:00 mark

-Amit

 

From Paleontologist to Neurologist: An Inside Out View of Jurassic World

WARNING THIS POST MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS OF FILMS YOU WANTED TO SEE:

This weekend, I got to watch two movies that could easily be the most entertaining movies of 2015. Disney-Pixar's Inside Out and Universal Pictures's Jurassic World. Both movies blew me out of the water with the screenwriters' abilities to tell stories.

In Jurassic World, a new dinosaur-themed park is opened (the old park is acknowledged many times throughout the movie) and is booming with business. Families from all over the world come to see the dinosaurs in this Central American country. In the movie, we are introduced to Zach and Gray, two brothers who don't have a very good relationship with each other but are sent to Jurassic World to stay with their aunt, a lead operations manager of the park. We're also introduced to other characters such as Owen Grady, a velociraptor trainer played by a very lovable Chris Pratt. The movie introduces many insightful themes such as the importance of family, the cruelty certain animal-themed parks may display to increase profits, and the desire to integrate almost anything into the military to gain the upper hand in the event of a war. The main plot revolves around a new dinosaur that was genetically hybridized to create features that would "be unlike anything seen before" at Jurassic World; the dinosaur was named Indominus rex. Unfortunately, the Indominus was intelligent enough to go rogue, and the rest of the film was about the attempt to eliminate the threat by any means necessary. I won't spoil the rest of the film for any of you who read this and haven't seen the movie. However, I will share my favorite quote from the film: spoken by Dr. Henry Wu to the park owner, Mr. Masrani

"Monster is a relative term. To a canary, a cat is a monster. We're just used to being the cat"

It was somewhat cliche, but nonetheless powerful. Hopefully, people were able to realize how devastating we humans can be to the environment. Parks like Sea World are constantly under scrutiny for their capture and containment of the marine wildlife they display. Humans can be complex. Humans can be bad. Don't be a bad human and understand your environmental impact. Lastly, if you haven't seen this movie, it's a much watch! It's gained more than a billion dollars in box office sales in just two weeks. I would highly recommend watching this in IMAX 3D if available as it just makes the film much more exciting (but a 2D experience wouldn't take away from the great story). I would give this a rating of 9/10 for its impressive yet not too overwhelming special effects and its captivating yet simple plot.

The following day, I saw Inside Out. Like any other Pixar movie, the movie appeals to both kids and adults. As a teenager, I get to enjoy both the kids-oriented story and the occasional adult-oriented themes. This movie was about a girl named Riley who we see grow up from a newborn to an 11-year-old. We learn about who she is not from her own actions, but from her emotions: Joy, Sadness, Fear, Anger, and Disgust. The voice actors for each of the emotions are definitely what helped it be even more entertaining! I can't think of anyone else who could have played those roles better. Amy Poehler was Joy, which is the perfect transition for her from an outrageous Leslie Knope in the show Parks and Recreation. Phyllis Smith played Sadness, and during the movie, I couldn't stop thinking of her character from the office moping around and being the "party pooper". Lewis Black was cast as Anger. That's all I can really say because Lewis Black is the epitome of anger (just watch his segments on the Daily Show or his interviews on other television shows)! Bill Hader was cast as Fear. Hader has mastered a plethora of roles while a part of the Saturday Night Live cast; Fear was just another addition to that list. Lastly, Mindy Kaling (happy birthday!) was Disgust. If you've seen her persona in The Mindy Project or her character in The Office, Kelly Kapoor, then you know that Kaling's best roles are those where she believes she's better than everyone else. She was definitely able to use her experience acting as a disgusted person to personify the emotion in Inside Out. I can't outline the plot of the movie because you must watch it for yourself! You'll see that it's a story assuring us that being unhappy isn't bad, but that it's just part of life. You can't always be Joy. That's why you have a team of emotions working together. We learn that Sadness is instrumental in eliciting compassion from others. Inside Out was one of the most relatable movies that I've seen in a while. I was able to remember times when I was expressing certain emotions that Riley expressed in the film. It was great for kids to realize how to isolate their fundamental emotions and find the proper balance. The film was great for adults too because it gave them a reminder of how kids' minds work at different stages in their development, and gave a slight glimpse at how dangerous depression can be. I would give this an overall rating of 10/10 for its ability to reach the audience's hearts with the storytelling and great cast (and a personal bias for Pixar).

IF YOU ARE SCROLLING UP, THIS POST MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

-Amit

Taylor Swift: Out for Justice or Out for Money?

You've probably heard recently of the letter Taylor Swift sent to Apple Headquarters regarding her disapproval of the artist compensation methods of the new Apple Music streaming service. She specifically addressed the lack of royalty money given to artists during the free trial period for users of Apple Music. In response, she said that she would not allow Apple Music to provide her music on the streaming service unless they fixed their alleged issue, a threat she ultimately executed with another music streaming service, Spotify.

Swift claimed this about why she is withdrawing her music from streaming sites:

This is about the new artist or band that has just released their first single and will not be paid for its success. This is about the young songwriter who just got his or her first cut and thought that the royalties from that would get them out of debt. This is about the producer who works tirelessly to innovate and create, just like the innovators and creators at Apple are pioneering in their field…but will not get paid for a quarter of a year’s worth of plays on his or her songs.

A part of me wants to believe that she actually cares about the artists who will be losing revenue during the 3 month period, but my gut feels that she is just realizing the influence she has (mostly due to her large fan base) and is using sympathy to leverage Apple into increasing her personal wealth. This year, she became the youngest person to be featured in a Forbes Most Powerful Women list. She has a estimated net worth of $200 million, and may just be another perpetrator of American Greed.

I feel a similar way about Jay-Z, who complained about the same thing but mainly against Spotify. He has developed a new streaming (in my opinion, overpriced) service called Tidal that will allegedly bring justice to artists. I can't really feel that artists like Jay-Z and Taylor Swift are out to seek justice. They're just artists who have reached the top and are just hungry for more fame, publicity, and money.

I really hope I'm wrong about Taylor Swift's intentions and that she is out to advocate for those in the industry who will feel the brunt of self-serving business decisions by Apple. In her letter, she did make this comment:

These are not the complaints of a spoiled, petulant child. These are the echoed sentiments of every artist, writer and producer in my social circles who are afraid to speak up publicly

In the end, Apple gave in, and revised its compensation policy to be more generous to the artists especially during the free trial period of Apple Music. Swift's voice was heard.

Business is scary. I guess you'll never know people's true intentions.

-Amit

Jon Stewart: The Best in The World

I sure am going to miss Jon Stewart when he leaves his role as anchor for The Daily Show​. Even though it was comedy, he always knew how to address the issues that our country faced in the most professional way possible. Just look at yesterday's monologue and look at the post-9/11 episode of the show. He was able to put the humor aside and talk with sincerity. While his show is normally very liberally charged, when he talks from his heart, it's obvious to see there is no liberal or conservative undertones. It's just him speaking on behalf of righteousness

TAMS Summer O

This weekend, I had the pleasure of being an TAMS Summer Orientation Leader for the incoming Junior class. Organized by the TAMS Student Life Staff,  the Orientation weekend was filled with meeting new people, and reconnecting with people I haven't seen since school ended in May.

The orientation started Friday at noon when all the Orientation Leaders (OLs) came together and discussed the plans for what we would do once the Juniors show up.  We practiced playing games that would be ice breakers for the juniors, we broke out into teams of 3 and created our own team names and chants (I was a part of "team 13 so fresh, so clean" with Wesley Miaw and Annie He), and we set up McConnell Hall to make it easiest for the juniors and their parents to check in and get around.

After the juniors were checked in by an OL, some of the other OLs led them to their rooms and helped them get situated at McConnell: their soon-to-be home for 9 months beginning in the fall. Then, the seminars began. The students along with their parents were greeted by the Dean, Glenisson de Oliviera, the Director of Student Life, Russ Stukel, and the Academic Counselors, Wendy Boyd-Brown and Sam Earls. After listening to the introduction from the Administration and the rundown of what TAMS will be like, the students left their parents to join the OLs, Hall Directors, and Assistant Director of Student Life to find out what they would be doing for the rest of the weekend. The students were divided into groups of about fifteen kids and assigned to three OLs who would serve as their guides for the weekend.

Each small group split up and went to their own spot somewhere on the UNT campus. Wesley, Annie, and I had the kids play some of the most challenging games to get to know one another. The most memorable game was called Awkward Elephant, a game where the juniors would line up and stick their left hand between their own legs and grab the right hand of the person behind him or her, who is extending his/her right hand forward. With the juniors in such an uncomfortable position, we decided to make them move around as a unit to "encourage camaraderie". In the end, it was a successful ice breaking experience because almost everyone in the group knew the other juniors' names. This was the perfect transition to Roommate Rumble.

Roommate Rumble is a activity for students to talk to other members with similar living habits and find "the perfect roommate". By the time we were done with the pairings, it seemed that almost every student had found themselves a roommate for the fall. These students were becoming closer than I could have ever imagined. The juniors took their new closeness to the recreation center where they were allowed to hang out in for about an hour. With basketball and ultimate frisbee games happening on the same court, ping pong tournaments creating mini rivalries among teams, and board games laid out over all of the spare tables, the juniors were having the time of their lives!

We ended the juniors' nights with a wing meeting, explaining how the following day would play out. The students had to take their placement exams for chemistry and math, so we told them that we wanted them to get a good night's rest. Little did they know, the OLs would have an extended curfew that gave us the ability to go to Walmart, or Jack-In-The-Box, or even the OLs' own apartments on campus (as long as we were back in the hall by 1am). To top it all off, once we did get back, we just shared stories with one another until 4 in the morning. We knew what we were getting ourselves into: we would have to wake up all the juniors and send them to breakfast in 3 hours. We didn't mind.

The following morning, we woke up at 6:30am and, hoping that the juniors were at least well rested, got ready to wake up the juniors and take them to breakfast. We sat with them and discussed the joys of waking up and eating a plateful of sub-par cafeteria food before going to class.They then went to go take their math and chemistry placement exams. During this time, some OLs took a nap, some OLs just hung out at McConnell, and the rest of us went to the mall. We didn't have enough time to buy anything, but we went anyway. We headed back to pick up the students from their testing center and take them to lunch and then "Mock Semester", an activity that introduces the students to the various aspects of living at McConnell Hall during the school year ranging from academics to student life to personal hygiene.

The day came to an end with the juniors getting their textbooks and their summer assignments. They were lined up around McConnell Hall as though they were getting the new iPhone on its release date, These kids, who were uncomfortable just 24 hours before, had the biggest smiles on their faces. No kid in that line was left out of a conversation; everyone was talking with one another! For kids who probably didn't know a single person, they looked as though they'd known each other forever. The Student Life Staff's and the OL's primary  goal for Summer O was to have each student have a personal connection with at least one other junior. I'm proud to say the students had exceeded our expectations!

The juniors were incredibly excited for the coming school year, and I'm glad to say that, as an Orientation Leader, I was able to help instill that excitement. Here's to a fantastic school year! Class of 2017, welcome to TAMS!

Philanthropy In (loco)Motion

This Thursday I was coming home from Austin on a Megabus, so I could be an Orientation Leader for the TAMS Summer Orientation. After a 3-hour long bus ride, I end up in Downtown Dallas. To save my mom from a long car ride to downtown, I offered to take the DART Train most of the way home. I walk to the Arts District train station preparing to slide my card into the ticket machine to pay for my train pass, and all of a sudden, an elderly woman comes up to me and says "Here take mine, I won't be needing it anymore". I was confused for a second, and saw that this ticket hasn't been used at all! I was moved by this act of philanthropy by a woman I've never met before. To top it all off, just before she disappeared into the grid of skyscapers around Downtown, she said to me "Just Pay it Forward". It's amazing to see how selfless people can still be in a world full of people who would rather be the opposite. This is philanthropy.

-Amit

Frisco High School Walks Out Part 2

For those wondering what my previous statement was regarding:

Several days ago, the superintendent of Frisco ISD, Dr. Lyon, sent an email to the parents of Frisco High School Students. The letter was a notification that the current principal at Frisco High School, Sylvia Palacios, was being "reassigned" to another position in the district. Many viewed this as a demotion, and disapproved of the district administration's decision. Students and staff believe the "reassignment" is due to a few parents complaining to the school board about her and claiming she should be "disciplined". In the eyes of many students, the school board was unjustified in their actions because -contrary to what some parents believe- the principal at Frisco High School was admired by most of the students. Many students have claimed to share a bond with Ms. Palacios that they haven't shared with any other educator before. In support of Ms. Palacios, the students of Frisco High organized a 2 mile march from the school to the Administration Building that will take place at around 12:15. The students hope to collectively show the district their position and get the administration to reverse the decision of her demotion.

Since I never went to Frisco High School, I never knew Ms. Palacios. However, after seeing the outrage most of the students, I can only believe that she made an extraordinary impact in the students' lives. It's amazing to see students fight for "righteousness" and "justice". And don't get me wrong: I am not and never have been "against Frisco ISD". I always support their decisions because I see the growth that it brings, but this time…I think the students (not the parents) know best.

Frisco High School Walks Out

Good luck Frisco High School students! I'm proud of you guys for standing up for a wrongful demotion. Walk with righteousness.

Happy Mother's Day Mom

Happy Mother's Day Mom! My gift to you is another weekend where I'm out of your hair.

and this:

Thank you mom. You're super cool.
From when I'm hungry or Dave's drowning in the pool
to every afternoon when you pick me up from school

Thank you mom. You're not lame.
You wake up everyday make sure that we do the same
You comfort Dave and I when all we feel is pain.

Thank you mom. You're the best
Oft we may not get along because we're stressed
But then we resolve the issue and move along with jest

Thank you mom. You're the one I care most about.
You make awesome turkey sandwiches and steelhead trout
You made me an Eagle Scout

.

Thank you mom. You're amazing
I'm always grateful that I'm under your wing.
Whether Summer, Winter, Fall, or Spring.

Thank you mom. You're better than ok.
You make sure that I'm never led astray.
That's why I love you even when it isn't Mother's Day.

-Amit

Do People Quit Caring?

Today, one of my Facebook friends asked a question on Facebook:

At what point do people quit caring about making change in the community and just focus on their own advancement?

It is an interesting and thought-provoking question. My response was "I don't think people stop caring about making change in the community, but rather they feel that they can't do it unless they change themselves. People naturally want to make a difference, but not all of them understand that they can do that regardless of their "status" in the professional or social world."

Others believed that it was maybe a result of failure when they did care about making change or perhaps the narrow approach to "make change". They only tried one way and didn't like it, so they gave up.

A general consensus is that an individual will care about making differences in the community so long as they feel they are actually making a difference, and will give up the moment they don't think they are doing anything significant anymore (even if they actually are).

What are your thoughts?