This essay points to the importance of what individuals notice or do not notice and value in their lives. The quality of existence depends upon how well humans recognize and manage their day-to-day interactions, tasks, and responsibilities. Often ordinary, caring actions are not seen or valued. Quality of life also depends upon individuals being able to see the traits of the larger communities and cultures in which they are embedded. As cultural qualities become habitual and normalized, they are accepted as “reality” or inevitable. For example, Americans, perhaps owing to fear, unconsciously place a great deal of value upon pugnaciousness, competition, and economic success which can be seen in American metaphors, language, and symbols. These qualities have led schooling policymakers to implement accountability measures that overvalue test scores, competitive activities, and eliminate curriculum content that enables children and youth to learn how to be competent, caring, compassionate human beings. Instead of having an economic purpose for schooling, we, as a culture, should aim toward educational experiences that nourish the human spirit and imagination. In a word, schooling experiences should provide occasions to see the many possibilities of life that matter so that individuals can make their ordinary lives have purpose.