Curiosity – Ask Why
Keep your mind and eyes open at all times. Be curious! Think of how much you can learn if you are in a state of awareness - always looking for opportunities, obstacles, and insight. A curiosity mindset leads to problem-solving. For those gifted with a continual state of curiosity, the simplest things in life become interesting. Curious people are continually asking, "Why?"
Although I do not categorize myself as gifted with curiosity, I still find myself asking questions about what I see.
After looking out my basement door, I asked, "Why?" I saw my patio outside light had unexpectedly exploded. I did not see the explosion, but the glass shrapnel was scattered all over my patio. What could cause this?
Usually, lightbulbs do not explode. In my life, ninety-nine percent of my lightbulbs no longer work without glass shattering. They quietly stop working - some of them make a popping sound, which signals the end.
My curiosity switched on. Did someone smash my bulb as a concealment strategy to snoop around my property? Did an unlucky bird fly into the light fixture? Did a ghost materialize, which sent out energy that blew up my lightbulb?
After a quick online search, I found lightbulb experts sharing that lightbulbs usually shatter after overheating. However, one did mention the ghost scenario.
I saw no signs of tampering. However, looking up into the socket, I found cobwebs. I found nothing else which might have caused the bulb to overheat. I removed the cobwebs and replaced the bulb. If I had found a spider, I would have moved it to my garden and away from my door.
Albert Einstein, the German-born scientist known for his work with the theory of relativity, said, "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence." I had many questions about the unexpected cleanup of a lightbulb. Hopefully, cleaning and my curiosity have resolved my problem.
When something changes in your surroundings, be curious. Ask questions. Specifically asked the question, "Why?" Look at your situation differently. If you have time, research to find evidence to help you with problem-solving. Try to gather all the facts and make your own decisions based on the facts. Always being alert and curious are fundamental habits worth committed concentration.
Chad C. Carmack, Ed. D.
Martial Arts Perspective:
Does martial arts training teach strategies to overcome obstacles?
Martial arts training provides the student with an opportunity to overcome many training obstacles. Overcoming training challenges affords a self-awareness to overcome challenges inside and outside of the training facility.
