Simple Living in Complex Times: Helping the Globally Gifted Cope

Abstract

Concerns about the economy, the environment, and a widespread yearning for change have fueled gifted youngsters' worries about the future and the state of the world. Furthermore, the characteristics that distinguish them from others, including their intellectual and emotional intensity, often amplify their feelings about significant issues that touch their world today. Because of an awareness of an increasingly urgent need for people to simplify life, gifted students need guidance in unraveling the intricacies of simplifying life in increasingly complex times. With support from adults in considering wide-ranging perspectives, gifted students can simultaneously develop their awareness and understanding of the issues, while being guided in searching for practical solutions that can be implemented both locally and around the world. The combination of personal issues and social concerns need to be addressed as gifted students sort out the complexity of simplifying life, and practical strategies for grappling with these can be put into action. In addition to current thinking on the topic, this article draws upon ideas that have stood the test of time and are more relevant than ever today and offers practical suggestions for assisting gifted students with the fine points of moving toward simplicity.