When I came across this inspirational quote from Einstein,
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when one contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvellous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries to comprehend only a little of this mystery every day.”
I was reminded of the pleasure curiosity has given me in my life. For me it was almost like a happiness tip! When I was a kid, curiosity was very alive in my family. We loved to look things up in the old Encyclopedia Britannica, in the big
Curiosity and Awe
world Atlas, or in the heavy red dictionary. We would seek out more information because we were curious about something we had read, learned, experienced, and we wanted to know more. Just because life is so fascinating! Like Einstein says: “Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” And indeed, for me curiosity has been life transforming. Leading on to awe and a sense of mystery at this miraculous world we live in.
My family raised flying squirrel babies; we had Luna moths in our screened porch; ordered praying mantis cases to help with the insects in our garden; we
stopped on family vacation trips to look at natural wonders, experience ancient cultures, try new foods, meet new people… and in many of these experiences, curiosity led to awe… and awe led to wonder and a sense of the miraculous nature of life, of the world, of its underlying mystery.
And in my everyday life, curiosity helps me/us move out of the right and wrong, black and white mindset, my judgements, or my thinking that things should be a certain way and that I know exactly how that is! Judging and the tendency to wish things were different from the way they are are two of my biggest challenges. Learning to stay curious and accept what is truly a life transformation for me. Curiosity inspires me; puts me in touch with the miracle of existence, excites me and makes me grateful to be alive. What a gift!
How does Einstein’s inspirational quote land with you? I’d love to hear. We’re in this together.
PS Here’s another
inspirational quote from
Abraham Joshua Heschel: Everywhere we encounter the mystery in the rock and in the bee, and in the cloud and in the sea. And a final one to close : “
Never forget: We are alive within mysteries.”
Wendell Berry
