“I will say the most important thing the human race has for our survival is our brain. If knowledge is not passed down to the next generation, we will become extinct.”~ George Lucas

George Lucas, filmmaker and creator of the movie Star Wars challenged President Obama to make education a top priority as he accepted the Lincoln Medal for his movies and effort to improve schools at the reopening of Ford’s Theatre in DC last night. (source)

Do you agree that knowledge is the key to survival?

When I read George Lucas’ comment, in the moment I found myself nodding my head, “Yes! The brain and knowledge are our key to survival.” My life’s work as a professional speaker and writer has been built on education and learning and are two of the greatest gifts life has given me.

And then I thought about it more deeply. I do agree education should be a top priority not just nationally, but also globally, and…

There’s another “thing” to paraphrase Lucas, that I also consider a gift from life, that is equally as important as knowledge, and without it, all the knowledge in the world won’t save our planet.

That thing? That gift? That survival glue? The heart. If love and wisdom -  gifts of the heart – are not passed down to the next generation along with knowledge, we will not survive.

Education and knowledge lead to awareness; education and knowledge, combined with the heart’s wisdom and love lead to contribution and transformation.

Let your heart lead your learning. You are transforming the world.

Happy Valentine’s Day!