by N. O. Tate

Created on: January 24, 2008   Last Updated: February 23, 2008

We wake each morning to a critical world. Our neighbors are critical of one another. The television is critical of everything from criminals to politicians to sports heroes. Our co-workers criticize anyone from the boss to their own children. It is difficult to get away from critical observations.

Yet, critical thinking has its value. It helps us address issues that need amending. A person who uses critical thinking to facilitate helpful changes in our world is a person of great value. In order to become a person who knows how to use critical thinking to produce positive action, we must learn to turn a compassionate eye and ear to the problem we complain about.

"When I was a child I thought as a child." When I matured a bit, I started to wonder...

..What exactly, ARE the modes-of-operation that allow the world to run as smoothly as it does? As a child, I had assumed someone was always in CHARGE of the water, the electricity, the computer worldthe WORLD! When I matured a bit, I realized it was the dedicated efforts of individual people that made my life so comfortable.

Now I recognize how extremely difficult it is to do even ONE of the jobs that keeps our world running. What if it was ME who had to keep track of all the viruses that push upon our computers -our bodies? What if I had to know just how few, or how MANY chemicals to put into our water so that it is clean, but SAFE? How much paperwork does it take to do ONE legal transaction....the kind of transaction that protects both parties involved?

Life is complicated in the real-life adult world. Once we understand how difficult it is for US to do OUR job, we can begin to understand the intricacies of every person's contribution and, how each person's commitment to their work ethic helps the world function as well as it does!

In order not to succumb to the system, but to appreciate its intricacies, let's take a moment to wonder about the complications that arise in the lives of those in these professions. Who knows, by pondering things in such a manner, WE may be the critical thinker who facilitates changes that will make THEIR LIFE and OURS, better!

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