3D Learning & Personal Relations
At its core, society is a network of relations between individuals. It is logical that the stronger those relations, the stronger the society; however, our society is not designed to build and strengthen relationships.
This is in part because we are conditioned to view others two-dimensionally.
For example, I go to the library and ask for assistance finding a book from a librarian. I view the librarian as a source of information. The librarian views me as someone who needs assistance finding a book. That is all there is to the relationship when both myself and the librarian are whole individuals with a personal history, life problems, and hopes for the future.
There needs to be a stronger sense of connection than “I need this you give me that” that is visible everywhere in society. We believe that we can build stronger relations with others as we involve them in the process of learning to create a three dimensional network of relationships.
Here are examples of three areas of life where Personal Relations can be of assistance:
Childhood Education
Traditionally the education of a child is between the child and the teacher with varying degrees of involvement from parents. What if instead, the child was given the freedom to explore whatever he or she wants and shares what is learned with parents, siblings, grandparents, neighbors, and anyone else who loves him or her? These relationships could then provide feedback in the form of excitement, encouragement, advice and constructive criticism. As a result, there is a community of involvement in the child’s success that continues to grow as he or she grows and develops.
Motherhood
A young mother has four children from the ages of three to twelve who are very busy with school, sports, and being busy children at home. She wants to learn about how to better care for her mental health. Instead of solely reading books about mental health and meeting with professionals, she can leverage her relationships. She can discuss her concerns opening with friends in her situation, parents and older mentors who have passed her stage of life, and even her children in appropriate ways. She has a community of support who are aware and are also seeking to learn more about mental health because they also care for their friend, mother, and daughter.
Retirement
Josh is approaching retirement, and he does not know what he wants to do after he is no longer working. Instead of facing the problem by himself, he has a 3D network of relationships to turn to as he seeks to learn what is next for him. He can turn to people older than him who have also retired and learn from their experiences. He can turn to coworkers and friends younger than him to express what he is going through for support. Retirement is a significant step, and he no longer has to face it alone because of a caring community around him.
Personal Relations is applicable in a wide variety of learning opportunities from building a business or changing careers to personal development and politics.
Under the umbrella of the J&A Center for Social Change, the Center for 3D Relations Inc. will pioneer resources to help individuals and families cultivate deep, authentic connections that will strengthen society and lead to positive social change.
We acknowledge that there are legitimate questions about this change in the structuring of relationships in society; however, to resolve the problems our society is facing, we cannot keep doing what we have always done. Perhaps, as we focus our attention on the simple interactions that make up society, in this instance Personal Relations, we can make a significant difference at the personal, family and neighborhood levels. Read the corresponding chapter of the book.
Please join in our forum discussion if you have questions about the social catalyst Personal Relations.