I photographed a ladybug this morning, apparently drunk as a skunk in a marigold. Was “she” eating my flowers? No, I am assured by an internet search, ladybugs eat aphids, up to 5,000 aphids in their lifetime. I wrote about pelicans last week after doing a little research. And earlier this year , I blogged about honeybees after I found a hive in my backyard. My knowledge of bees has increased greatly thanks to several local beekeepers who’ve given me a tutorial on what they do.
Learning never stops. And this point is linked to a concept that I’ve long held: we’re born creative and curious but lose these “instincts“ as our minds react to discipline/rules intended to keep us safe. The rules actually instill fear in us and that is the quickest way to put out creative fires. And formal education, intended to make us smarter, can dull our urge to know more if there is no inspiration involved in the teaching; i.e., nothing to rekindle our fires.
As adults our learning is chiefly job-related and that can lead to a pretty dull life if we don’t pursue non-work related knowledge.
I came home from work for decades, popped open a beer and turned on the TV without a thought of ladybugs, pelicans, bees and all the other stuff that makes this world wonderful. I still do the beer, but now I spend more time reading up on what I don’t know. I’m curious, again.
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