Cherish you ability to wonder
By Jean Ricot Dormeus
A radio talk show out of Guyana, the only English speaking country in South America, has caught the attention of thousands of listeners over the years mainly by means of the title of the program, “Have you ever wondered?”. The host dons a booming voice and, in an effort to educate and entertain, shares relevant information on an array of topics. The question, “Have you ever wondered?”, turns our attention to many facets of life that we often take at face value without trying to understand.
A decreasing ability to wonder often points to getting old. My friend Gisele says that her son Al wants to know everything inside a toy. He would take it apart, study and touch the pieces and put it back together. Gisele attributes to Al’s curiosity and sense of wonder his great ability to absorb and process information. In general, adults baulk at this kind exploratory process because it is messy. They have stored a wealth of information, beliefs and habits they hold on to and would not dare to challenge.
Likewise, maturing people tend to form opinions about everything even without proper knowledge. They often mistakenly proceed by assimilation treating an issue new to them the same way they would something they already know. I am amazed to see many laymen analyze issues such as global warming, health epidemics or the traffic on the road and offer solutions off the top of their heads. Sometimes, they are even more confident than the experts.
What if you nurture your ability to wonder, question more often and seek to understand more deeply? Your curiosity would create more opportunities for personal growth, bring effective solutions to the challenges of your communities and spur innovation in numerous fields. Wouldn’t it? So cherish your ability to wonder.
Jean Ricot Dormeus
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