Exploring Curiosity: The Intelligent Minds of Our Children
People often say that our tomorrow will be better than today, but often, our current day holds lessons from the past. One evening during dinner, my daughter asked me what 'jail' means, a question that led to a deep reflection on our progress and the curiosity that drives us.
Another day, a 19-year-old on his first job confided that he had to use the 'porta loo' when he needed to go to the bathroom. After witnessing the landscapers use it, he quit on his very first day. This incident led him to question the norms and expectations of his job, leading to an abrupt but valuable decision.
A Universal Quest for Understanding
As a child, I once asked my mother, ‘where did I come from?’ She told me that God made me. But my curiosity didn’t stop there; I then asked, ‘who made God?’ My mother couldn’t give me an answer, and ever since then, I’ve been searching for the answer, a quest that embodies the innate curiosity that drives every human being.
Childhood Insights: A Lifelong Companion
Several years ago, I was involved in a project to send volunteer university students to teach English in Asia to needy children and children with disabilities. One evening, I received a call from a young blind girl who posed a question that deeply moved me. She asked, ‘why did the teacher have to go? Is it because I did something wrong?’ This question reflected her innocence and her inability to understand the complexities of life.
Simple Wisdom from a Six-Year-Old
When my daughter was a toddler, we were waiting in the car at a traffic light. I explained what the signals meant, and she replied, 'Oh, green means you can go and red means you can stop.' But she said 'can' instead of 'must.' I chuckled at the thought of so many people disregarding the traffic lights. Her simple statement was a profound insight into our lives.
She said, 'You can choose to stop and be more mindful.' This realization came to me when I realized that we often view red lights as an inconvenience rather than a reminder to pause and be present. The next time you feel frustrated at a red light, think about my daughter’s words: take a breath and be grateful for the opportunity to stop and appreciate the moment.
The Power of ‘Why’
The most intelligent question my child or any child has ever asked is: 'Why.' This question stems from our innate curiosity, a drive that begins before we even take our first breath. It is our default way of approaching the world, a universal quest for understanding. The first sound a newborn makes is not a scream but a question, 'Why,' which may distinguish us from other sentient species on this planet.
Unfortunately, as we grow older, we are often programmed to accept the status quo and stop asking 'Why.' Life is like a battered piece of flotsam, and we cling to perceived good, moving through lives carefully managed and programmed. However, if we can’t answer a child’s question, at least remind them of the flip side: 'Why not?' Encourage them to challenge the norms and to keep asking questions, for it is through questioning and understanding that we grow and learn.