Each Wednesday I’ve been recording a Curiosity Journal to recap the previous week using these tag words: reading, playing, learning, reacting and writing.
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Reading
I read more of The Thinking Life: How to Thrive in the Age of Distraction
, continuing to find lots of lines about slowing down.But it’s not only about making time to think. For example, I thought this portion was particularly applicable given my curiosity theme:
In this book on thinking, what I usually have in mind is critical thinking, the kind that is rational, informed, purposeful, and reflective, the kind that strives to remain bias-free and to arrive at logical conclusions. The critical thinker is an examiner of life, always alert, ready to pay attention, interested in everything, constantly asking, “Why?” and taking delight in the process of discovery. (Forni 7-8, emphasis mine)
In case you haven’t noticed, I’m interested in lots of things. I frequently ask “Why?” and take delight in the process of discovery. Several of my friends, however, are active doers who feel most satisfied having worked through a hefty to-do list. These doers are essential to keeping the world in motion. Their work is essential and valued, and I’m blessed that they support my intangible pursuits with love, humoring me and showing interest, even when I have accomplished little in a day outside of what transpired in my head and perhaps flowed through my fingers onto the page or screen.
Playing
I’m happy to inform you that I have a Words with Friends buddy. With practice, I’m playing a little smarter than I used to. And I’m learning obscure words. My favorite so far: “poods.”
Learning
This week, I’m beginning to read student research papers on the following topics:
- The Titanic (a focus on its rapid sinking)
- Alcatraz (focus is on The Great Escape)
- Sweat shops (focus on Bangladesh)
- PTSD (focus on PTSD developing in people directly affected by World Trade Center attacks)
- McDonald’s (how the company has had to adapt its American menu and restaurants to appeal to Indian culture)
- Concussions in football
I’m prepared to learn a lot.
Reacting
What about that Pinterest, eh? Just when I was getting in the swing of things, having a little fun pinning style, food and home ideas, I discover it’s at the center of copyright controversy.
Writing
I’m enjoying my work editing the “I Do” series at The High Calling. Today’s post by Ann Voskamp reflects on the doing of “I do.” She reminds us that daisies aren’t enough…and yet, the doing…those daily, thoughtful, sacrificial acts of love are essential to keeping love strong.
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Credits: All images by Ann Kroeker. All rights reserved.Affiliate links included.Forni, P. M. The Thinking Life: How to Thrive in the Age of Distraction. St. Martin’s Press: New York, 2011. Print.
I’m married to a do-er. He is beginning to appreciate that good things arise from my stillnesses.
I love the way you always ask “why?” It makes me want to ask “why?” more often and that’s good for me because I’m not the kind of person to ask “why?” Unconditional positive regard and adult child of an alcoholic and all that and it’s only taken me 43 years to start questioning.
And that crepe looks exquisite in the anniversary post. Happy belated…