Once upon time, all of us here were children, Right? I am sure you remember. Perhaps, you have children now, or grandchildren, even the neighbours off spring, asking why? Why? And why? As we grow up, we learn to elaborate on that question, but it still is a popular one. Asking questions is at the root of all learning and development. Your curiosity shows you have an inquiring mind. It means you are interested to find out more and you have a thirst for knowledge. Curiosity doesn’t kill any cats, it opens doors. Asking questions will take you everywhere!
Unfortunately, in too many schools and in society in general, to dampen, forbid and even punish our natural instinct to use our imagination, starts at a very early age. We have to have a bit of personalty to push through the negative banter and keep our super gift of genuine and healthy inquisitiveness.
-It is a miracle that curiosity survives formal education – Albert Einstein
With that negative backdrop, it becomes harder to ask for help, to ask for advice or guidance. A veil of shame and vulnerability shrouds us. It is suggested that you are weak if you ask questions, even childish. And, you are probably lacking in something or you are just too stupid to discover the answer yourself. And, the version today is, with so much information on the internet, why can’t you go find the answer yourself?
In my world, asking questions is a strength. There is always someone who knows more than I do on a given topic. I am smart and knowledgeable on many things but not everything. By asking questions, asking for more information, I learn and expand my knowledge. I am sure that resonates with some of you?
Everyday, questions come up for me. In my writing, in my social media attention and research, and of course, with colleagues, friends and loved ones. And it starts simply, with these 5 words; why? where? when? what? and how? They are all relevant, all important with no hierarchical pecking order. The good news is that there are answers and solutions everywhere. It is up to us to ask and search. Plus, our ever-expanding digital world, offers us information at our finger tips.
Confidence, like art never comes from having all the answers; it comes from being open to all the questions. – Earl Gray Stevens
I always keep in mind that the answers and solutions that are offered are not set in stone, gold or even diamond. I have the choice to accept, modify or refuse the answers presented. The answers I receive are always, and just, the opinions or the points of view of the person/s writing or speaking them. Sometimes, the answers I hear are not suitable but could stimulate my mind to switch over in another direction. See things from another point of view and therefore change perspective. Asking questions will take you everywhere!
This is one of the great benefits of having a curious mind and asking questions. Your search for the answers will certainly lead you down new avenues but also increase your motivation and arouse and activate your imagination.
I do believe that Asking questions will take you everywhere!
As Sam Walton says; Curiosity doesn’t kill the cat, it kills the competition.
Keep your curious mind open and ask me some questions! Click on the chat box below.
I leave you with this entertaining TEDx talk from Amanda Palmer. The Art of Asking Questions.
https://www.ted.com/talks/amanda_palmer_the_art_of_asking#t-794279
Very true! Curiosity is an insuppressible creative energy of life. It never runs out of new topics or subjects to learn. Life is curious! Often we call our difficulties, problems, actually, they are unanswered questions. They can provoke our questions as well.
Your curiosity again, leads us to a very interesting theme. Thank you for that.
Yes it is a creative energy of life…love that 🙂
Great article! Never asking questions will only keep you in the dark. Ask away, and become enlightened! But don’t always accept the first answer you get…
Yes, sometimes the answers just don’t fit but don’t let it stop you asking ! 🙂
Georgia is so right…If you were ever a trainee journalist, it is likely the five most important words impressed upon you were WHAT, WHEN, HOW, WHERE AND WHY. Newspapers need the nitty gritty first: neck-break speed, to get their stories in front of curious eyes. Add a salacious slant or eye-catching angle, and you’d soon be a household name!
Oh that salacious slant eye! What an image Joy! 🙂
Sometimes you are in my head Georgia 🙂 I’ve definitely gotten further by asking questions, asking for help, and you have been an inspiration and great source for that. Thank you!
(“Curiosity doesn’t kill any cats”. LOL – love that one!)
Thanks so much Vibeke…means a lot to hear that…Let’s keep on inspiring each other then 🙂