Learn

​Being naive is probably not a good look.  I have been bitten before and thought, “ok I learned from that.”  Trouble is though I am over 60.  I’m running out of time!
It really does not help that I am inclined to want to warn people when I hear of something alarming.  I did it again the other day.  Someone sent me warning that to open something would open me up to having my computer compromised.
Turned out it wouldn’t.  Turned out it was a hoax.  In my haste I warned others without checking.  That is unlike me really.  I guess I am paranoid.  I check out so much before using it.  It is important to me that what I say is factual.  Doesn’t always work though.  More than once I have said things that could be disputed on factual grounds.  My thinking is, if it is wrong, sure as eggs someone will tell me.
I know though in matters of faith I can say something and have it disputed.  I try to never make a claim that does not have some foundation.  The source may be disputed, but the claim is based in the source.
I guess I am never too old to learn, as embarrassing as that may be.  I love what Kobe Bryant said “…I reflect with a purpose…”  Even at 62 I reflect with a purpose.  I see now why it is said,  “you’re never too old to learn.”  I may feel old.  It may take me longer to get it.  But the important thing is I do get it.
Einstein said “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.”  Questioning is most pronounced in kids.  They ask why.  Not once but many many times.  I may run out of patience, but I never run out of admiration for questioning.  The same goes for kids as it does for me.  If I don’t ask, I won’t know.”
I have seen it and I think it is terrible to see a kid who is asking questions fobbed off.  I did think it was hilarious when the kid was told they built the Great Wall of China to keep the rabbits out.  That kid was fobbed off.  My dad fobbed me off on the golf course once.  He told me that to swing my club in a practice stroke was a shot.  I believed him because he knew stuff.  He was a life member of North Queensland and off two at one stage.  People came to him for a ruling.
As I have often said, questions do not concern me.  Fobbing off does.  I am not impressed when someone declares something is the way it is “just because.”  I confess that does not wash it with me.  To me, anyone can believe what they want to, but if I ask why, I like a reasonable answer.
I am not into blind faith.  I am into eyes wide open faith.  As Confucius said, “He who learns but does not think, is lost! He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.”  I can hear grasshopper in there.  Also “as Confucius say (that’s me!”)
Being embarrassed is probably par for the course, but I would rather that then to remain comfortable in ignorance.