Ever Wonder?

When I was younger, I had big dreams. At the ripe old age of four, I had ambitions. 

I wanted to be a "fire engine" when I grew up. Just like my dad. 

Kids are cute aren't they?

I've often reflected back to this time in my life. My thoughts always end up leaving me giggling and yearning. Sometimes I think it would be great to go back to a time when anything was truly possible, including being a "fire engine". 

Kids are full of wonder. And here's the great thing about wonder. When you ask questions and marvel at how much you don't understand, the world suddenly becomes an exciting place again. When we're younger we trust our curiosity, and our minds are wide open. 

Somewhere along the way we stop living out our own course of inquiry. We go to school to work for grades and avoid detentions, to get into college/university so that we can develop careers where we work for money and a lifestyle. 

However dim it may seem, I think the flame of curiosity is never fully quenched. Many people still allow themselves to wonder about possibilities from time to time. What would happen in a world where curiosity guided the majority of our actions? What kinds of new possibilities might we stumble upon?

Wonder is the driving force behind our meaning-creating minds. It guides us to explore our genuine interests and puts aside the need for anything else but learning. 

One of the best parenting moments my Mother ever had (in my humble opinion) occurred when I approached her with one of my many inquiries of her vast knowledge. 

"What exactly is infinity?" I had asked, having learned to use the term on the school playground ("You're it times infinity").

Not fully knowing how to explain it herself, she helped me consult an encyclopedia, and when I didn't understand what I was reading, she helped me ask questions that might lead me to more information. 

Thanks Mom!

I think the world could take a page from my mother's book, so to speak. Many of us have great knowledge we are delighted to share with the world. The wise among us should recognize that the greatest gift we can offer is not knowledge itself, but a question or two that would encourage others' senses of curiosity. 

Why not look into something you've wondered about this week? The Internet is full of answers, if you're asking questions. Better yet, how can you encourage others to explore their own curious pursuits?

Adora Svitak is a child phenom who has been fortunate enough to recognize the power inherent in being a kid.

Enjoy!

brandon@studentofwonder.com