Testing damage

So many kids are scheduled to the full in order to achieve not being a kid. We live life based on milestones, tests, awards, ceremonies which are used to measure our achievements. Education is important and we are measured against everyone else. It's hard to escape that reality.

Yet, the milestone or testing mentality can be damaging to relationships. Achievement at work, in clubs and family dominate how many live and this way of looking at life is linked to the testing and comparisons we do everyday.

Of course there is value in "objective tests" because a completely prejudicial judgement from a few people would be worse. To work and live in society, evaluation and classification help choose who to relate to.

But why should the results of these daily test results be the final word about who we are? These often superficial impressions no matter how clever do not begin to touch the humanity that lies within or tap the potential that is in each person. Yet many of us are resigned to the judgement of others.

What is worse is that the most common tests and milestones outside of school have to do with money, sex and power. Life seems simpler when measured by observable results and we admire those who are good at one or more of them. It can be deceiving though. We are made of far greater substance than these.

The point is that money sex and power are only useful in HOW they are deployed. Just because you have them means very little, they are like numbers on a statement. Unused or hoarded money sex and power can be dangerous because the results can ignore any effort to create goodness. Even if you mean well, thoughtless habitual practice of them can be a waste of time and energy because true human value are linked to something else: truth and love.

Any effort to safeguard money sex and power as you would a piece of land misses the point because all of them are ethereal. So to use them as a way to evaluate human value is pointless.

Many seem content with just the shell of existence they seem to provide. After all money buys sex and power right? Could this kind of thinking be the source of evil? Because money used to buy influence and love is actually pretty tasteless and will definitely leave you empty after the thrill of adventure. Emptiness breeds desperation. Hopelessness can lead us down the path of violence, hate and hurt.

A better test is in the loyalty and good will we share with others, which by the way is free but very difficult to see. When you find them though, you become a better human being. At least more fulfilled and happy.

The mystery is that like stagnant water that becomes foul over time, money, sex and power left unused or used to drown people will be ugly, disgusting and will contaminate relationships. So to measure success based on how much you have is like storing up stale water. The wrong test damages life.

Let those who don't really matter judge us according to such empty pursuits. Even pursue them if you must.

Inside though we can live a journey with friends devoid of judgement. Then we might be free to go somewhere.