I just had an epiphany while reading your article! That's why scientists are scientists! They doubt everything! And that's also why scientists tend to be very childish: Children are the ones who are always curious. The hardest thing is also wanting change. Change becomes an obstacle to discovering new things when we are afraid of it. Thanks for the food for thought!
The difference between childlike and childish is something you just taught me. 🙏🏻 Letting the curiosity from your inner child guide you is one of the most powerful things you can do. ☺️
Humility, malleability and curiosity are great qualities David no doubt yet certainty is also good if indeed someone has sought and found The Truth through wisdom, prudence, temperance and fortitude. Does not a captain of a ship know the course and destination before setting out on a voyage. Is not the funding for supplies, crew, worthiness of the vessel and all considerations taken into account before the last line is let go from the mooring? I am not sure of the 100 cups of coffee as that sounds like much the obsession as one of quality would suffice daily for most hence temperance. More like an absorbent amount coffee because in those days in France it was believed as even today that very good coffee has "miracle like" abilities to provide health benefits. Yet the same person proclaimed > “Use, do not abuse; neither abstinence nor excess renders man happy.” So taken the very words of Voltaire moderation is prudent and a person who fasts at times or at least moderates is one of the most self-controlled and is able to better allow for infused contemplation of the Spiritus Sanctus. Nice to play mental chess with you my dear friend and bringing the discourse to the park with an endless view! Pax, Lux et Amor IHS
Wow David! There is sooo much richness packed into this Ikigai thought today! Could spend a lot of reflection time unpacking this one from a number of different perspectives. Thank you for that.
"What have you changed your mind about? And why?"
For me, the first things that comes to mind are matters of faith, eternity, and divine life force. Not that I've "changed my mind" but rather that I continue to evolve my thinking on these things. It is one of those areas of life where people can embrace a doctrine or faith tradition with unyielding certainly. I think that's a mistake and can sometimes be problematic for the world at large.
Life has taken me on a journey where my foundational beliefs on these things have remained relatively firm and constant. And yet my life experiences, along with new learnings about humility, openness, and curiosity continue to "change my mind" about the realities of life beyond these fleeting moments spent in this world. In an odd kind of way, I feel this evolution in thinking continues to strengthen my faith. And yet others, who perhaps hold fast to their certainty, might not see it that way.
This is a beautiful reflection and one I can relate to..."Life has taken me on a journey where my foundational beliefs on these things have remained relatively firm and constant. And yet my life experiences, along with new learnings about humility, openness, and curiosity continue to "change my mind" about the realities of life beyond these fleeting moments spent in this world. In an odd kind of way, I feel this evolution in thinking continues to strengthen my faith."
Something Sarah Hurwitz wrote on faith comes to mind. "So we’re forced to wrestle with our old certainties, and if we’re lucky, we come out the other side humbler and more nuanced in our faith." I know that has been my experience.
David, I love the Sarah Hurwitz quote, especially the phrase "wrestle with our old certainties". That's exactly it! The old certainties are there. They are grounding, the foundation. And yet if we try to practice humility, openness, curiosity, and empathy we gain an ever-growing understanding of the world that is our current home. If we intentionally look more broadly beyond the comfort of our certainties, we begin to see more through the eyes and experiences of those whose certainties are different than ours. This cannot help but to tug at our heart and challenge our mind, thus wrestling with our certainties. For me, it all seems part of a purposeful personal journey toward what lies beyond. My faith has indeed become more nuanced over time. It also feels stronger in ways that rest well in my heart.
I just had an epiphany while reading your article! That's why scientists are scientists! They doubt everything! And that's also why scientists tend to be very childish: Children are the ones who are always curious. The hardest thing is also wanting change. Change becomes an obstacle to discovering new things when we are afraid of it. Thanks for the food for thought!
I think you are onto something Aranly. Embracing being a child as an adult means to be childlike not childish.
The difference between childlike and childish is something you just taught me. 🙏🏻 Letting the curiosity from your inner child guide you is one of the most powerful things you can do. ☺️
Accepting and growing. A divine balance.
It is indeed. 🙏🏻
I’m sure you’re right!
But are you certain? 😉
No doubt…..I think.
Humility, malleability and curiosity are great qualities David no doubt yet certainty is also good if indeed someone has sought and found The Truth through wisdom, prudence, temperance and fortitude. Does not a captain of a ship know the course and destination before setting out on a voyage. Is not the funding for supplies, crew, worthiness of the vessel and all considerations taken into account before the last line is let go from the mooring? I am not sure of the 100 cups of coffee as that sounds like much the obsession as one of quality would suffice daily for most hence temperance. More like an absorbent amount coffee because in those days in France it was believed as even today that very good coffee has "miracle like" abilities to provide health benefits. Yet the same person proclaimed > “Use, do not abuse; neither abstinence nor excess renders man happy.” So taken the very words of Voltaire moderation is prudent and a person who fasts at times or at least moderates is one of the most self-controlled and is able to better allow for infused contemplation of the Spiritus Sanctus. Nice to play mental chess with you my dear friend and bringing the discourse to the park with an endless view! Pax, Lux et Amor IHS
Discourse in the park with an endless view...I like that Joe!
Happy Wednesday Joe! This share has me so curious...do you regularly accept invitations to play mental chess?
Mainly with people I know and trust....trust and time are the two T's that are challenging at times :) quest well.
well, I don't think you're an icky guy
Good to know. 😉
Wow David! There is sooo much richness packed into this Ikigai thought today! Could spend a lot of reflection time unpacking this one from a number of different perspectives. Thank you for that.
"What have you changed your mind about? And why?"
For me, the first things that comes to mind are matters of faith, eternity, and divine life force. Not that I've "changed my mind" but rather that I continue to evolve my thinking on these things. It is one of those areas of life where people can embrace a doctrine or faith tradition with unyielding certainly. I think that's a mistake and can sometimes be problematic for the world at large.
Life has taken me on a journey where my foundational beliefs on these things have remained relatively firm and constant. And yet my life experiences, along with new learnings about humility, openness, and curiosity continue to "change my mind" about the realities of life beyond these fleeting moments spent in this world. In an odd kind of way, I feel this evolution in thinking continues to strengthen my faith. And yet others, who perhaps hold fast to their certainty, might not see it that way.
This is a beautiful reflection and one I can relate to..."Life has taken me on a journey where my foundational beliefs on these things have remained relatively firm and constant. And yet my life experiences, along with new learnings about humility, openness, and curiosity continue to "change my mind" about the realities of life beyond these fleeting moments spent in this world. In an odd kind of way, I feel this evolution in thinking continues to strengthen my faith."
Something Sarah Hurwitz wrote on faith comes to mind. "So we’re forced to wrestle with our old certainties, and if we’re lucky, we come out the other side humbler and more nuanced in our faith." I know that has been my experience.
David, I love the Sarah Hurwitz quote, especially the phrase "wrestle with our old certainties". That's exactly it! The old certainties are there. They are grounding, the foundation. And yet if we try to practice humility, openness, curiosity, and empathy we gain an ever-growing understanding of the world that is our current home. If we intentionally look more broadly beyond the comfort of our certainties, we begin to see more through the eyes and experiences of those whose certainties are different than ours. This cannot help but to tug at our heart and challenge our mind, thus wrestling with our certainties. For me, it all seems part of a purposeful personal journey toward what lies beyond. My faith has indeed become more nuanced over time. It also feels stronger in ways that rest well in my heart.