How often do you take a step back and think about why you do the things you do? To take a look at where you’ve been and where you plan to go. To wonder, to dream and to act. It’s often difficult to break away from those initial two things, never mind the latter. But, how often do you truly consider the first two?
After all, how would we know how to wonder if we haven’t seen enough already to wonder about? Think about somewhere distant that you’ve only ever come across on a TV advert. You might wonder what it feels like to be there in real life because you have some perspective to go off, in the form of images.
From wonder sparks the magic of dreaming. Building a vivid idea of what you may see, hear and feel. Although, what is that idea based on? You haven’t been there, so how could it be possible to assume it in your thoughts? Perhaps we stitch together ideas from our past experiences. We see that the place we’re looking at is hot, so we imagine the heat as something similar to our last family holiday. We see the people, who look friendly and hospitable, so we think we’d get along. You’ve read the opinions of others who’ve been there, and feel that yours suits some of theirs. You could make so many assumptions that you make your decision before the advert has ended.
As I’m writing, I suppose I’m making assumptions about my readers thought processes in how they look at a TV advert.
And that’s exactly the idea I’m describing. I wrote my initial 3 paragraphs on the basis of my own thought processes when looking at something new, or something I haven’t experienced to any great level of depth.
But for someone else, they could have perceived it completely differently. It may not have compelled them enough for it to register in their mind. It may have only left a subtle impression, which influences their thinking on the subject.
Or, they’ve thought about it in a way I haven’t comprehended before, and may never get to know.
It’s why I think education is so important. The education that we’re so often failed to be inspired by in formal schooling. That is, education on subjects and ideas that expand our perspective on the world. To understand maths and science is to frame our thoughts in a coherent, logical manner. To understand English is to articulate and project our thoughts onto the world; to express our experiences in a way that others can understand. Understanding history is to get a glimpse of the actions and decisions of those made in the past, and how they affected each other. Knowledge that can be used as a frame of reference to determine how to act in the present.
Through this, perhaps we must become better, more well rounded people. People who know how to think—to make conscious decisions to make things better for everyone—and what a privilege it is, constantly aiming to expand our understanding of the world around us. To also help others towards it, even if we ultimately face different ideas and conclusions.
I like to think I’m aware of my own ignorance, but through it comes further understanding. Continuing to wonder, to dream, and sometimes to act on the things most important to ourselves and those we love. Rather than making decisions mindlessly, or from tradition alone, I hope to act because the education I’ve received—through my parents, my schooling, and the people I’ve come into contact with—has expanded my perspective, and my ability to make more intentional decisions. Decisions that may be far more fulfilling.
Socrates: “The more I know, the more I realize I know nothing”
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