Mystery

Until we can accept the fact that life itself is founded in mystery, we shall learn nothing. ~Henry Miller

When we are not sure, we are alive. ~Graham Greene

Dear Lord, let me seek the truth, but spare me the company of those who have found it. ~Anonymous

I know nothing, still I cannot help singing. ~A. R. Ammons

Openness and curiosity are characteristics I want to cultivate. My friend Claudia gave me a beautiful book called Keeping a Nature Journal, by Clare Walker Leslie and Charles E. Roth. The authors suggest that, once an object is identified for sketching, the journalist try writing down at least one question about the object. Examples they give: “How did it get there? Where does it go in winter? Can it also be found in other habitats?” What a great way to exercise one’s curiosity!

As for openness, I am pained when I remember times I couldn’t bring myself to show ignorance and therefore failed to learn a lesson that was available to me. Wouldn’t we all be better off if we could recover that two-year-old’s propensity for incessant questioning: “What is that? Why? Why? Why?”