Do I Stop Too Soon?

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day. —”Old Man’s Advice to Youth: ‘Never Lose a Holy Curiosity.'” LIFE Magazine (2 May 1955) p. 64.”― Albert Einstein I’ve been wondering this week when I stop too soon.  Information moves fast.  It feels like we have to have an opinion (and a STRONG opinion at that) on everything.  If I am honest, it’s way too easy to read a headline and a few sentences of a news article, and I’ve formed an opinion.  It’s also way too easy to see a story or post on social media and go from zero to annoyed.  It’s like we live in a constant state of alertness, especially when it comes to information.   It used to be (I’ve heard) that information and even opinions were in books or newspapers that were edited and fact-checked. This means, of course, that there were gatekeepers.  Information might not have flowed as freely as it does now.  I feel like my brain was maybe better evolved for slower, fact-checked information than the constant stream of information presented with the same level of authority.  The random person on the internet can give their ideas with as much authority as the highly educated doctor, historian, economist.   The question I’m asking myself is this: Do I stop too soon?   This question means that instead of taking things at face value, I need to keep being curious.  Do I decide something is wrong or annoying and stop there. (Yes. Often I do this.)  Maybe instead of rolling my eyes, I should ask a few more questions.  Why does this evoke such a strong response? What feels off to me? Where could I go to fact-check this or learn more?  If the same things always annoy me, why is that?  What button does this push?  Is this idea correct, and I just don’t like it?  Why? There are always a million more questions that can be asked.  I need to not stop too soon and keep asking questions.  Information is an invitation to learn more.  I have been taking shaky steps towards being more curious. Here is what I’ve noticed.  It means I need less information and more space.  It means curating and cultivating where my attention goes.  For me, that means no Facebook.  The frustration of Facebook does not outweigh the rewards for me.  It means way less Instagram. I am making sure that I’m only checking it briefly once or twice a day.   It means that I’m constantly asking myself a few questions.   Is this person always advertising something?  Unfollow. Does this account make me care about things (I mean things, objects, not ideas)  that I wouldn’t on my own? Unfollow. Is my political ideology, theology, foundational understanding of the world so divergent that it’s too far of a bridge to cross? Unfollow. It means that I’m intentional about looking at news from several sources. Do I stop too soon is a question I am using to challenge myself to be more curious.  Mostly it’s about being more curious about myself and my reactions.  It is paying attention to what I am paying attention to and asking, does this help make my life better? Does it help make the world kinder?  Do you stop too soon? Do you stop asking questions before you have enough information? SIFT is a really helpful acronym that can help us become better-informed information consumers. I read an article earlier this year in The New York Times. I found this link that is helpful about how to use SIFT. My kids and I did this with something I had posted on Instagram (that I thought was true. . it wasn’t. It was a great exercise.) If you haven’t already signed up for my NEW newsletter, Smaller & Deeper, you can here.   If you like these questions, please consider SUBSCRIBING to The Art of Powering Down; Questions to Recharge Your Soul… Every week there is a question that will gently challenge you, encourage you, or help you live your life with more intention, grace, and purpose. (Sharing these reflections and questions with friends is the greatest compliment!)

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