Share
Your Knowledge
“If you
have knowledge, let others light their candles at it.”
Margaret
Fuller
Did you know that the
most recognized quote in the English language is Sir Isaac Newton's,
“If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the
shoulders of giants.” None of us are original thinkers. We
gladly accept ideas from others and add to them. If we are fortunate
enough to come up with something not seen before, it is only because
we arrived at it before someone else. For the most part, we are
extenders of knowledge rather than originators.
Every generation has a
responsibility pay it forward. I was so impressed with the young
Swedish girl, Greta, in her emotional appeal to the representatives
of the United Nations—she had no fear, she knew she was in the
right, and she had the passion and courage to step up and speak her
mind. Her knowledge of climate science is neither new nor original;
she is not the world's leading expert in that field, but she
holds out the knowledge she possesses for the rest of us to light our
candles at. I deeply hope there are more children like Greta in the
world—and I believe there are. She not only motivated us with her
passion, she modeled for us a way to move forward.
I am also grateful for
California—the state that is almost always first to try new things,
and forge new paths. “As goes California, so goes the nation.”
California revels in the cutting edge research its citizens do. It
passes progressive laws and condemns regressive ones in an effort to
move themselves and the rest of us forward. And they usually succeed
in spite of the roadblocks put in their way.
If you have knowledge,
it's your responsibility to share it with others. We can't sit back
and wait for other people—those who are better qualified—to do
all the teaching. We must share what we have, what we know, and
support others who do the same. If you are passionate about
something, hold out your light. Others will come with candles.
In the Spirit,
Jane
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