I say "case" as in, I'd like to make a case FOR the benefits of proceeding down what can be a painful and frustrating path.
The genesis of this topic was cued by an innocent query of mine to her, "hey, have you run across Polyvagal Theory". This query was reminiscent of dozens (probably closer to hundreds) of queries we have exchanged over the years, starting with said interrogatory, "hey, have you__________?"
That is code between us, and probably between other 'seekers' for, "I just dove into a rabbit hole chasing a concept/philosophy/methodology/theory, hit my first briar patch or my first A-HA!!! and now want to drag you into the hole with me!" (With a heart-full of love and need to share such treasures, of course!).
We seekers seemingly have no limit to the amount of discovery adventures we will go on (and drag others into). I love what my friend says about it as she describes it as "part of our charm". I know I drive my not-similarly-inclined husband completely bonkers at times with my incessant drive to know WHY and find answers to "yeah, but....". I doubt that he considers it "part of my charm", but rather more akin to something to navigate around, like a bad habit of leaving one's shoes out in the middle of the room.
He is used to the constant piles of books, diagrams, reference materials, bookshelves packed with DVD sets, specialty reference books, folders with papers shoved into them and even though I have down-sized considerably over the years, still, there is so much material!
Knowing this, and my efforts to downsize, what did said friend get me for my birthday last December? Why, more books of course! And she picked out exactly the kind of books I would get for myself covering topics she knows I love to deep dive into. I am thrilled.
To me, each of these books, articles, podcasts (the digital age is an information junkie's dream age!!!) are like little treasure chests, to be opened cautiously and with each bite (or byte!) of information savored even as one suppresses the desire to consume them quickly and ravenously like the delicious treats they appear to be.
But how much is TOO much information? Too much knowledge? Is there such a thing?
I hear terms like information over-load, analysis paralysis, and so on, but I think those terms can apply to other wider-scoped issues as well {like my recent OBSESSION with any and all information COVID-19. Staying informed is one thing; drowning in it is quite another.}
What about balance? Is that even possible for those of us who seem to need more, more, more?
What are we to make about this individual who just has an inborn drive to learn? To be curious at each and every turn in life? What about those of us with seemingly insatiable curiousities?
A day without learning to me is like a hike across the desert with no water. I wouldn't even think of embarking on such a day.
I line my activities up to accommodate my need to learn (now easier than ever in the podcast era).
On the good days, I manage to find a kind of balance, and on the REALLY good days, I direct my learning to things that will align with improvement across a variety of interests. But there are days when it gets completely away from me and becomes its own entity.
Kai-zen as it is sometimes called, or 'good change', the need to spiral upwards, the drive to do better, the curiosity-driven need to look around the next corner....all of these and more subtle meanings of the term have probably inspired everything positive and beneficial that mankind has come up with (and, I suppose, by a simple twist of intent, the things not-so-good that mankind has created).
I have come to think that the universe itself models for us the concept of continuous growth, if one accepts what astro-sciences assure us is proof of the universe being in a state of expansion. So maybe it is part of our true and most vital nature to want to grow and want to question, ask and know why? To say: yeah, but???
Now more than ever, let us embrace the seekers among us as we turn to them to take us further upward and to, hopefully, spiral out of the substantial mess we've gotten ourselves into. I think the need to cultivate this natural drive in ourselves is greater now than it has ever been. We need innovation, differing views and creativity like we have never needed them before.
When we really think about it, continuous self-improvement is the only path that makes sense. There are no statics in the universe and therefore, if you aren't on a path upward, then.........well, which way are you headed?
Freewill leaves improvement and every other option open to us, fanning out before us in a myriad of paths.
As many ancient sages have counseled us through the ages, that we can take or heed: choose wisely.
Sue, seeking, in Ohio
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