The birth of Bearsgiving was a “light bulb moment” five years ago, and though initially it was inspired by Thanksgiving, it has taken on a new form. In the age of information, Gen Zers and the Alpha generation are no longer fooled by murky retellings of the past. There is a true hunger for authenticity. In the search for this truth, a spiritual awakening takes place.
Last Friday, I was invited to Teacher Benny’s American Literature class to witness students deliver sermons written by them as a class project. For the past term, they have been introduced to the Puritan Tradition, a religious movement that was key in the birth of America and shaped its society. By then, I knew I had to write this article and had no idea that listening to kids less than half my age would set my pen ablaze. Unsurprisingly, the dichotomy of what is good or evil is still as relevant now as it was then, the difference being that the younger generation, if you dare listen closely, is teaching us that in this new era of progression, the gap between the young and the old is closing in the best way possible.
Their sermons spoke of GOD, HOPE, LOVE, FRIENDSHIP, THE SUN, NATURE, THE POWER OF A SMILE, and so forth. I was undeniably moved. Their words held the answer: Alone we are nothing; together we are everything. Isn’t that the act of giving? Being open, present, and building bridges that are sturdy and can hold the weight of a thousand burdens. EMPATHY—its meaning ever evolving within us. A muscle that needs to be exercised and challenged.
Yeonmi Park, a North Korean defector, mentions in her memoir In Order to Live how the government modified vocabulary, even going as far as using the word love only to address their supreme leader. She believes that not having an understanding of concepts like compassion and empathy led her to walk by dead bodies without feeling anything. Her life being in constant danger and hunger were the only constants. After Yeonmi’s escape, she discovered compassion was innately a part of her and learned to feel for others, which ultimately led to her healing.
The world inside ourselves is how we see our external world. The key being: if you feel compassion and empathy for yourself, you are a step closer to having it for others. As we ride the wave of the Generative AI era, it is no wonder that we will start looking inward, valuing human connection, and reigniting our belief in God as a global community.
I am grateful to be a part of Colegio Plenus, the birthplace of Bearsgiving—a community whose members come from different walks of life but CHOOSE to be HERE. There is divine power in choice; it is the greatest, most tragic gift Jesus, our eternal Father, instilled in us. May God continue to bless our beautiful community. The spark is here; it is our job to spread the warmth.