Coming Of Age

NEW TRADITION

Traditionally, coming of age spoke of the human being crossing over from child to adult. There was no stage of development called puberty and adolescence. Today, in a complex society, an educated and prepared adult community must provide conscious guidance for each other and youth to build balanced individuals and social life through age appropriate education, life experiences, ceremony and celebration. Thus, Coming of Age encompasses a maturation process for adults, youth, family, the community and the culture. There is something to say about the many cultures that survived passing down ritual and ceremony in relationship with the earth and nature. My hope for future generations lives in the artistic and creative way we design and build a harmonious world culture that impresses our differences and acknowledges spirit in each of us.

SOCIALIZATION

My research and experience bears out the fact that socialization is a learned process. Self-understanding, gender and role identification, and interpersonal relationships need to be explored and reckoned with at the adult level in order to meet the needs of youth and nurture the child and others. I believe that the adults in family/community can work consciously with their individual personal growth and the maturation of the community so that we are prepared to support the awakening children and model healthy social relationships.

STRIVING

Each of us sets an example for our community, family and youth. As we walk in the world, others may judge our actions and our words, especially in this North American society. The adolescent specifically, looks to see if we walk the talk and are what we say we are. So, if we care about how we walk in the world, conscious living is a requisite to gauge how we are personally expressing our self. Interpreting conscious living would be a theme for a thesis at another time. For me, I strive to live in the moment, learn from every interaction with each individual I encounter, reflect on my words and actions, recognize spirit in everyone and everything, and live in forgiveness, peace, joy and love. If I could do all this I would be an ascendant. However, the operative word is Striving. Striving to be the best human being I can be. Conscious living takes courage to look at your self, tenderness to forgive yourself and others, vulnerability to learn from others and the willingness to personally grow to be the best you can be.

PHILOSOPHY

The education and experiences I provide flow out of a philosophy of human development. The following assertions apply to my philosophy: Every human being carries a specific destiny, purpose, and mission in life; there exists a spiritual world; Each human soul journeys through sequential life times to evolve its consciousness; The individual’s purpose in life is seeded in the spiritual world prior to each incarnation and unfolds within earth experience aided by free choice and free will.

My life’s work rests upon six pillars:

  • (1) My belief that the human being is also a spiritual being and that all human beings need spiritual nurturing.
  • (2) The pedagogy gleaned from studies of child development through the writings of Dr. Rudolf Steiner, Piaget, Erickson, W. Reich, E. Fromm, Malinowski, Koepke and others. Their research rings true in my relationships with children.
  • (3) My collaborative work with Tamara Slayton.
  • (4) My experiences in the classroom with middle school students, my own children and other teens in the community.
  • (5) My great energy, compassion and interest in the personal experience of puberty and later life.
  • (6) As stewards of the earth and nature, it is the human being’s responsibility to care for the earth and ALL that inhabit it.

I am all about an entire community coming of age, not just our teens. A community coming of age encompasses education, skill building, social and personal growth and ceremony to acknowledge our transitions in life. These are tasks which must be taken up by each segment of the community: youth and adults through conscious living. Adults who take up this personal journey build Communities of the Heart.

Linda E Knodle 2011