And so we have entered the "Why?" phase. It's not like it was an abrupt entrance. We had been slowly plodding along a track of curiosity for sometime. What makes this phase distinct is the persistence of the questions, predominantly why.
In our house, movie watching is reserved for weekends. Usually Friday and Saturday nights we curl up for a bit and watch half a movie, leaving the other half for later. Over the holidays, the boys were fortunate to receive a few new movies and so began the questions..."Who is that?" "What is he doing?" "Why isn't he being nice?" "What is her name?" The incessant chatter caused Adrienne and I to stay up and watch the rest of the movies, not so we'd have the answers but so that we could actually enjoy and understand what was going on. From that we have shifted squarely into a time where questions rule the day...and that is a good thing...it caused me to wonder when we grow out of this?!? When do we become more concerned with knowing the answer vs. knowing the question? When do we lose the innocent curiosity? What causes us to hold back when we don't fully understand something?
As adults we are often so consumed with moving forward that we forget how important it is to see what is around us. In this case, seeing is being truly aware and if unsure seeking clarity. We put ourselves in a space where taking the next step supersedes full comprehension and so we often take that step without truly knowing where we have been and where we will be going.
Perhaps it is because of fear of judgment, not wanting to appear ignorant or less knowledgeable that we put our questions aside...preferring to nod and make a mental note to Google that thing to try and understand later.
But what are the consequences?!? In some cases, it would seem that we would be making decisions without fully understanding the context or impact of those decisions. Scary stuff right?!? but certainly not without a plentiful number of examples woven through out our history. Even worse in my book is the potential impact on our relationships. A lack of open curiosity enables us to drift through our days only half knowing the people around us, making assumptions about their experiences and dulling the emotions that bring us as humans together. No wonder there is a lack of empathy in the world.
So my little men, I want to thank you for opening me up to the wonders of "Why?". It is important that you hang onto that spirit for as long as you can and encourage it in others. Asking questions unabashedly will help you feel with the vibrancy and clarity that you and this world deserves. Ask questions, push beyond assumptions, and challenge your own need to be perceived as "knowing". Most importantly be present, interested and curious in the experiences an feelings of those around you...let that help you create what you "know".
And I will do my best not to be impatient, to ask my own questions, and encourage you along the way.
Love Dad
PS - I appreciate that you enjoy a wide variety of toys as sleeping partners...however, when you scream bloody murder in the middle of the night because you have dropped one under the bed...my appreciation wanes quickly.
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