Fuel for Curiosity

Happy Wednesday!

Let’s jump right in! Do you ever try to think back on your time in school (or if you are in school now- recall today’s lessons)? Can you remember any facts or information that you felt like you were learning for fun, or was it all with the intent of memorizing to pass the next test, or “just get school done?”

Now, let me make clear, I had some amazing teachers, and my attitude and my drive was partially my learning differences that couldn’t at the time be accommodated for at the school I attended. However, there are a few moments that I can remember that I felt like, “I can do this – if this is part of the process.” First thing that comes to mind is my 5th grade teacher would read to us almost everyday. My favorite, The BFG, she didn’t just read it, she emotionally read it! Love her!! Another thing, which so many of my classmates always complained about, so I never expressed to much excitement – but I really loved when Newsweek or worksheets were the assignment. I know silly right? Newsweek assignments usually were to read the stories and answer the questions at the back. Reading real stories made me feel, even though I was a kid, important enough to be informed about what was happening around the world. And worksheets, well my 8th grade math teacher was the best at these. She would give us a bunch at one time and give us a due date, then this would be our assignment during class time and homework. No certain order, and if we finished them, we could color them in 😊

I have a distinct memory of being 7th grade and having my desk by the window. The way my school was laid out the younger elementary school kids were in the building beside us, so their recess happened between our buildings. And I remember one minute looking towards the teacher and listening and the next looking down at the kids playing and listening to their giggles. I of course was caught, because I was called on to answer or read or something, but I remember this day vividly. And I never got my desk beside the window again in that class that year.

I know that a lot of my knowledge is credit due to my formal education, but if it were not for what was encouraged outside of formal teaching, I don’t think I would be as curious and have a love for finding the facts as I do today. Magazines, Menus, historical markers, documentaries, listening to others- of all ages- stories. This cultivated a daily unconscious love of learning that cannot be taught! I am incredibly grateful for this blessing!

It is also what was fun about homeschooling in high school. You have to have so many credits to get your diploma, but if you are not on a road to college, the requirements for specifics are more flexible. So after getting the sciences, maths, and histories I had to have, I got to choose the ones I could actually use, or find helpful and applicable to life. Like US government and how it works, Budgeting, Writing a business plan and running a small business, Child Care and development, Human Body and how it works, etc. Which ALL have been applicable to my adult life.

The wonderful thing is I was simply curious about these things I chose as my “finishing credits” for high school, but WOW how I have needed and used them in abundance in my adult life.

Budgeting- that’s a given- every kid needs this.

Writing a business plan and Running a small business – Before I opened Indeed in 2010, I began helping with bookkeeping and managing some of my grandfather’s townhomes. And eventually 2008, took this role over completely. Never did I think I would have been called to plunge a toilet or unstop a sink so many times before the age of 21! Good times.

Child care and development – I simply just wanted to know more, understand how we all develop and what influences our actions, character, and life. This was a wonderful tool to have when I was keeping a wide range in ages of kids. And also a huge plus when going through education and interviews for adoption.

Human Body- I cannot count how many times I have used this knowledge – some knowledge I didn’t even remember I had! But because of my curiosity, experiences, own diagnosis I was able to soak it in.

The funniest facts that are remnants of these finishing credits are from US Government and how it works. Some of this is credit to my 8th grade history teacher also. What is so funny is when something is in the news and it catches my attention, and I start talking to the tv like they can hear me. “That’s not constitutional!” “They can’t do that!” “Well, well, well, look what they have done now.” And then when I calm down, my parents will usually say, “explain please.” And we all laugh, because we all know I am fascinated with how our government is supposed to work, and I am passionate about anything medical, and justice, well there is a time and place and a due process is a must. And I just start recalling all these facts that have been in me waiting to be let out- education that sincerely came out of curiosity.

It’s pretty crazy to think about how I have been out of school more years than I was in school- including homeschool, Pre-k-HS. And in the years since, I have acquired just as much knowledge as I did while in school.

Now what is my point about this? I’m not really sure. How is that for honest? But I do know I get so sick of hearing freshmen in high school, and even earlier, what college are you going to? What do you want to major in? Like they have no other choice. Like they have to know now or else they won’t succeed. They are succeeding TODAY. They are facing a world at school that we never had to face. The people that graduated my year- 2006 – that went onto college and some graduate school – can’t find a job for what they went to school for. My heart is troubled for the kids who don’t know exactly what they want to do after high school, but believe they are failing if they don’t claim a major and go to college. The truth, the facts are that if your path doesn’t require college, it’s best to skip it, get experience, fight for your right. Because most of the jobs when you get out of college will say they want “college degree and experience,” but unless there is a certification needed, the experience with outweigh the degree. If you know you want to be a therapist, doctor, nurse, professor, teacher, lawyer, and many other careers that do require degrees, go for it! I will be cheering for you! I am not against college, but I am against setting people up for something that could be optional in the grand scheme of life. And the bottom line is robots aren’t going to want to get to messy, so trade jobs are pretty safe at the moment. If you can plunge a toilet, your job is safe, from what I can see. Don’t see too many robots hammering shingles either. Just saying.

What’s your favorite way to learn new things, gather facts and information? AI and google searches are fine, but beyond that! What gets you curious, gets your investigative hat on, fuels your thinking station?

Of course, my all time favorite ways to learn new things is children’s books. One of the really cool things about children’s books is that you can learn about other cultures and traditions and ways of life in no time at all. I found one recently that does just that:

Life Book of the Week: A Knot is not a Tangle, by Daniel Nayeri (if you are not familiar with this author, take some time and look him up!)