We are at a crossroad of how we, as a society want to live, love and raise our young.
President Obama sent the challenge in his eloquent speech at the Tucson Memorial service on January 12.
Here is what is ready for us, if we are willing to take the challenge.
We can turn our polarized and contentious culture into a real learning society.
It changed the primary goals of our society from material gain to one of learning, fulfillment, and fully actualizing one's unique potential.
Once those goals are made the center piece of individuals the goals of the society become "enobling social enterprises".
So, here is a word that encompasses this vision, as new as today, and as old as ancient Athens, "paideia".
Paideia means that the work of life, the work of art, is the human being.
In ancient Athens the society was designed to bring all members to the fullest development of their highest abilities.
Everything was education.
Everyone was helped to find what they needed to grow and become.
For some formal education is best, for others who are kinesthetic learned, they need to become apprentices to feel and learn by doing.
One is not better than the other, just different.
Is this possible today? Can we begin to see that education starts with the infant's first breaths and goes on till the elder takes his or her last breath? We are all in it together and in a modern learning society we offer help to each other, as friends, as neighbors, as colleagues.
The learning society is, at its core the essence of a democracy.
It cannot be managed from the top down, it means participating in the community to choose the best future possible.
In a society centered around the goal of learning there would be no "unnecessary people".
Everyone could find a place.
The idea of homelessness would disappear.
The thought of young people "dropping out" to waste away with drugs would become meaningless, because everyone's skills and talents would be utilized.
Does this sound too fanciful? Not really.
Sadly, it often takes a tragedy to unleash the potential in the human spirit.
Obama challenged us to take love as the highest priority on the planet.
This can sound "fluffy" and silly, yet, love is neither of those things.
Love is hard work, it is real, it is meaningful.
The motivation for learning and creative work is intrinsic in people.
There are no bored babies, they are always curious and willing.
The idea that as we grow we are only motivated by economic gain is what we have been taught in the Western technological society.
It is time to look at the patterns of behavior that have been passed from generation to generation about hard work, struggle, and suffering.
The idea that it is possible for paideia to come to fruition in a culture is both scary and wonderful.
It means that those in Power will have to learn another new word, "reciprocity".
Really learn that this is a transformative moment in the life of our country.
When reciprocity means "giving up" on the part of the seemingly powerful most people back away.
Issues are still stated in terms of winners and losers.
Yet, true reciprocity means more than a mutual exchange, it means considering the mutual welfare of all individuals in a just manner.
The call is out for a new way and both paideia and reciprocity can change our nation to a more caring, more altruistic nation.
The old patterns of selfishness and greed are truly not working.
Paraphrasing John Lennon, let's give paideia a chance.