The Uncertainty of it All
by Antonio
Occasionally I find time to browse through some of my favorite websites looking for some good reading or an interesting resource I have yet to encounter. As I browsed through the NAIS website, I came across a letter written by John R. C. Sumner, who in 1951 was a teacher of modern languages at the Webb School of California (Claremont). That winter, he gave a talk in the school chapel which was entitled “Of Course the Future is Uncertain.” In it he describes how at the time, the uncertainty of what the future held for this chapel full of boys (Webb has since continued single-sex education in a co-educational setting by adding a girls school in 1981 ) was not an excuse for inaction.
Sumner goes on to add that “I ask you to consider the unchallengeable fact that never, in the history of the world, has anybody known what was going to happen. Whatever may be new about your situation, your inability to foretell the future is certainly not it.” Seems fitting some 57 years later does it not? For my generation we have never been in a time when the uncertainty of it all seemed more real to us. The daily barrage of news and media reports of falling investments, unemployment, falling house prices seems almost to grand to take in at once. A truly perfect storm. Sumner continues;
There seems to be a recent doctrine, which is apparently gaining more and more adherents, that man is entitled to an easy life, to get what he wants, to have things go his way, and that if life is not easy, he doesn’t get everything that he wants, if things do not always go his way, then he is underprivileged, discriminated against, and unfairly treated, and has just grounds for complaint against fate, or against the social system, or against somebody or something. I know of no basis in philosophy or religion for any such doctrine, and I can think of no better way for you young gentlemen to insure your future unhappiness than to adopt it.
Powerful rhetoric at time when many would argue we have in all likelihood seen the end of a similar era of “I am entitled to my fair share!” and the reality of economic uncertainty in the world, political turmoil and unrest as seen in Mumbai and a country on the cusp of a new era of leadership, taking a step back to reflect on that which we are thankful for may be in good form. Many colleges and universities healthy from years of large and fat endowments are now finding that they must re-examine what is central to their mission and re-evaluate the unnecessary excess that is in their operating budgets. Secondary independent schools with similar tuition driven, endowment supported operating budgets must also rethink where their priorities are in terms of mission and program. Public schools are facing decreasing budgets due to shrinking town, city and state wide budgets. Regardless of what field you are in, things feel a bit uneasy and it is natural and human to focus on that feeling.
And yet, in the midst of all of this, I remain optimistic. We are entering a point in history where the future rests squarely on our shoulders and in our hands. I hold firm to the idea and concept that education serves to not only teach us what we need to succeed in college, or how to go out into the world and become successful, but also about life itself. Never before has it been more important to take a moment to reflect on the amazing opportunities we have to inspire and engage one another as colleagues, and more importantly engage our students. We come together daily with the hopes that our graduates will go out into the world ready, eager and prepared to tackle the complex and difficult interconnect global problems and issues facing us in the future. If those of us who work in schools believe we can put an end to terrorism and war, or if we want to solve global warming, and preserve and protect our beautiful and amazing planet— if we aspire to help those struggling with poverty, hunger, fear, hate and disease we must believe in the power of education. If we are to tackle the great challenges and obstacles facing our 21st century world, then all of us need to be critical thinkers and creative problem solvers, grounded in many disciplines. The there is no doubt in my mind that education holds the answer to many of these seemingly unanswerable challenges.
A final word from Mr. Sumner “The future is uncertain. It always has been, and always will be. You will meet with some hardships and disappointments. No one ever lived who did not. But uncertainty, disappointment, and hardships crush only the weak person; they make the strong person stronger.”
Photo Credit: carf
Comments
Very well said. I’m fairly young, 22 years old, and I can relate to the feelings of uncertainty and how uncomfortable that is, but it is a constant in life. The main difference is the amazing rate that we now hear about it. Personally, having been privaleged enough to volunteer in developing countries when I was 16, 18, and 20 for over a month at a time, I realize that I am privaleged and that there are many hardships that I will never have to face. I also realize that no matter what my fate, salary, or life experience I am veryblessed. Being aware that I do not know what will happen and I don’t have full control has also given me the ability to not worry over it, and as long as I live my life in alignment with my values it will be a good one. CEO or the janitor is mostly a difference of chance, and neither job is an indicator of how happy they are.
Thanks for sharing @rdjfraser. I am reminded of the saying “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That’s why it is called the present.” I believe that those of us who work in service of others are given a gift every day.