“Upon the subject of education … I can only say that I view it as the most important subject, which we as a people may be engaged in.”
—Abraham Lincoln
All over the world, it is believed that a solid education is the key to open the doors of opportunity and success. Advancements seem to come to those who have taken the time to learn a skill or increase their knowledge. Startups and longstanding corporations all agree that being a lifelong learner who is eager to learn is one of the best qualities a person can possess.
It seems like learning directly correlates to climbing the corporate ladder or solidifying your expertise in a particular field. It’s not strictly meant for classrooms, and it doesn’t always have to be so formal.
In reality, education should be something that we are all pursuing on a daily basis. Learning anything is a very personal journey and can have a much larger impact than just landing a job.
Education changes the world for the better, plain and simple. It is one of the key ingredients required for making the world a kinder place.
How? Challenging yourself to learn something every day will open your eyes and your heart to compassion and understanding.
There are thousands if not millions of examples throughout human history that perfectly illustrate how education can change the way the world works. Being properly informed changes how society as a whole addresses inequality, prejudice, and politics.
When it comes to improving the quality of life for the entire planet, knowledge truly is power. You don’t have to look back very far in history to find prime examples of this.
Take Malala Soufazai for instance. Her family instilled a passion for education in her, and she used this passion to learn as much as she can and demand education for all girls in Pakistan.
She was nearly assassinated because her message for equal education was so powerful, but she didn’t let that stop her. Instead, Malala has used her experience as a platform to show the rest of the world the educational inequalities that not only happen in her home country but all around the world. She has inspired millions of girls to seek knowledge and do whatever they can to get it. Her love of learning led her there.
“They cannot stop me. I will get my education, if it is in the home, school, or anyplace.”
—Malala Youstazai
As you can see, education is the foundation for creating equality in the world. Knowledge creates opportunities that many people in the world wouldn’t normally have access to. This quote from Nelson Mandela describes it best:
“Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president of a great nation. It is what we make out of what we have, not what we are given, that separates one person from another.”
—Nelson Mandela
People all over the world have can change their situation and create a new reality for them through education. Once again, it’s not all about degrees and high-cost tuitions, but sometimes that can be what is needed.
Nelson Mandela is a perfect example of this. He was an extremely well-educated man, and his experience in school led him to his political activism. As a youth, he dreamed of making an impact on his own community. Along the way, he learned about many other injustices in other parts of Africa, which just fueled his passion for change even more. Eventually, he created the sweeping changes that transformed South Africa and inspired the entire world.
Education has even changed the medical world and paves the way for more research and new treatments. Princess Diana is someone who understood this. She was a driving force in removing negative preconceptions surrounding AIDS, cancer, and leprosy.
When she became a part of the royal family, Princess Diana decided that she didn’t want just to support causes that were accepted by the public as she was expected to. Instead, she wanted to support causes that she believed desperately needed it. Not only did she learn about these heartbreaking diseases, but she got to know many people suffering from them as well.
Through her desire to learn and spread the knowledge she gained, Princess Diana helped lift the black cloud that kept these issues hidden from the public view. Now AIDs and cancer research are some of the top priorities in the medical community, and it was all because one woman followed he desire for knowledge.
The moral of the story is don’t stop learning. The amount of good that can come from a life filled with learning will not only having infinite benefits on you but on the entire planet.
“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.”
—Anthony J. D’Angelo
