'Ganas' : desire, passion, 'guts' (Spanish)

There is an old movie that I love called “Stand and Deliver”, a story of a teacher (Jaime Escalante) in inner city Los Angeles who takes a group of Latino teenagers from the gang scene through to college entrance by his inspirational math teaching. He challenges his students, “You're going to work harder here than you've ever worked anywhere else. And the only thing I ask from you is *ganas.*  (desire, ‘guts’).

 In a land of so much opportunity such as the US and Australia, this is often the missing ingredient in the lives of young students who have so much talent and yet are not developing it. It is also the missing ingredient for many adults.

The baby boomers were the first generation (in the western world) to experience peace and prosperity on a wide scale, and every generation since. Amy Chua observes in her “Tiger Mother” book that it has made us “soft and entitled”, spoilt and selfish.

It is now nearly a century since the first of the world wars started, and 70 years since they ended, and we are entering an age where the complexities of endless self-interest and individual rights are starting to bite. It will be the people with ‘ganas’ who will be the leaders of our governments and institutions both today and into the future. It will take the parents and teachers of today to inspire the young to have ‘ganas’.

 The reason it will take ‘ganas’ to succeed is because of the natural negative drag of our own  inherent laziness and desire for ease and comfort, as well as the cynicism and low expectations of the watching world.  It is in the athlete who doesn’t go the extra mile, the mother who gives in to whining children, the professional who avoids extra responsibility or the pastor who walks away from his demanding congregation.

Leaders with ‘ganas”are in short supply these days and should be encouraged and supported wherever they raise their brave heads. Leaders not only have to overcome their own desire for ease and comfort but the same negative drag in those they try to lead.

Where does ‘ganas’ come from? I believe it comes from a dream that the world could be a better place, from a vision to replace mediocrity with excellence, from an inner compulsion to reach a worthy goal. It may be a personal goal to overcome a failure and turn it into success, to achieve the highest level of your God-given talents, to build something beautiful, to train up confident, capable citizens of tomorrow, to lead a group of people to become a community of excellence.

What is the reward of ‘ganas’ in the end. I believe it is the immeasurable satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best to make a difference in your time, with your gifts, for your generation and maybe the next. It is living life to the fullest.

Quote from the movie

Jaime Escalante: [to his students] ... There will be no free rides, no excuses. You already have two strikes against you: your name and your complexion. Because of those two strikes, there are some people in this world who will assume that you know less than you do. *Math* is the great equalizer... When you go for a job, the person giving you that job will not want to hear your problems; ergo, neither do I. You're going to work harder here than you've ever worked anywhere else. And the only thing I ask from you is *ganas.* *Desire.*

If you don't have the *ganas,* I will give it to you because I'm an expert.

 (Lord, give us more teachers like this)

'Boy Wanted'

In the early 1900’s an ad appeared in a newspaper for a special boy. I first read this ad in ‘The Book of Virtues”, a treasury of great moral stories by William Bennet. It is a list of characteristics that define a young man of good character.  I decided to use this ad as part of my reading program in my Grade 4 class, getting students (especially boys) to read aloud each desired trait. The results never failed to warm my heart.   

The ad begins,

“Wanted: A boy that stands straight, sits straight, acts straight and talks straight.”

At this point I would invariably see, out of the corner of my eye, several boys sit up straight in their seats. And we had only just begun.

The ad the lists 21 other characteristics, including:

“A boy who listens carefully when spoken to..

A boy who looks cheerful, has a ready smile for everyone and never sulks..

A boy who is polite to every man and respectful to every woman and girl..

A boy who never bullies other boys and never allows other boys to bully him….” 

Rapt attention in grade 4, every eye on the page…

“ A boy who looks you right in the eye and tells the truth every time

A boy who does not want to be ‘smart’ nor attract attention                      

A boy whom other boys like

A boy who is at ease in the company of girls….” 

Not a smirk or joke anywhere (surprisingly)

“ A boy who is not sorry for himself and not forever thinking and talking about himself

A boy who is friendly with his mother..” 

What touched me so deeply every time we read this ad was the response of the boys in my class. There was such a rising in their hearts to be that boy, seen by their full attention to the words as well as their changed posture.

A century later and the world still desperately needs these boys. I believe brave and noble characteristics are in the heart of ever young man, waiting for someone to call them out.

 

Who will do it?

Mothers and fathers can do it, and must. Grandparents can do it. Teachers can do it.

Pastors, youth workers, scout leaders, anyone can do it.

How will they do it?

With words of encouragement, backed by love; With challenges to rise to high expectations and daring deeds; With opportunities to earn trust, and second chances when they fail.  And, with books to inspire, not just entertain.

 

“This boy is wanted everywhere. The family wants him, the school wants him, the office wants him, the boys want him, the girls want him, all creation wants him.”