There are too many books I haven’t read, too many places I haven’t seen, too many memories I haven’t kept long enough.

--Irving Shaw--

There's something about that quote that I resonate with. Let's start with books:
--first, I keep a list of books to read. Some have been recommended by friends. Others I've read reviews. Others are continuations of series.
--then, there are the lists of "best books of..." the 20th century...the decade, etc.
--finally, there are the "Great books." A few colleges make this cluster of classics the foundation of their curriculum.

Last year I read 125 books. 37 were non-fiction, or so they claimed! This year I'm putting a bigger emphasis on classics of fiction/Great Books, and on non-fiction.




Next, today's quote laments places not yet seen...I know that tugs at a lot of people's hearts and minds. Mine too. We drive by a little copse of woods and I think, I'd love to go poke around and see what there is to be found--a stand of wildflowers? artifacts of yesteryear? a glimpse of wildlife? a memory to be stored away for a rainy day?

We drive over a stream and I wonder, what's around that next bend?

We go thru an historic town and I think--I'd like to mosey around, then read some of their local history.

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I guess those are some of the reasons that I write: I can explore, analyze, and remember--some of it fictive, some factual, and all of it a feast for my God-given curiosity--may it lead me straight to the Source!

“Curiosity is the engine of achievement.”

“Curiosity is the engine of achievement.”

--Ken Robinson.

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How's your curiosity? I'll be you've got more than you reckon. Let me ask a few questions and you keep track:

1. How often do you look at your watch/phone/computer/other device to check the time? More than once an hour?

2. Do you watch the TV news regularly? Weather?

3. Do you enjoy Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune on TV?

4. Do you read a newspaper regularly?

5. Do you read anything regularly?

If you answered yes to any three of these questions, I'm here to say--I think you have a good sense of curiosity.

Now for the real question: are you curious about things that matter? Truly matter, to you and your family and your friends? Things that aren't fads, celebs, media-driven, or trivia, but instead are do you want to know more about big issues, about trends that may last for years or decades? About issues that effect your quality of life now and for the rest of your life? About the hereafter?

I think of those scientific minds of yesteryear: Ben Franklin, Kekule, Copernicus, Isaac Newton...never satisfied with the status quo. Closer to our times: Watson and Crick, Robert Goddard, Steve Jobs and his ilk...nobody could convince them, "Everything worthwhile is known/invented"!

Is your curiosity well-invested? Poking yer nose into stuff best left unpoked?

Just some suggestions...I know that I'm often curious about mere or mostly trivia, so these questions are as much for me as for ye!

I think curiosity is indeed the engine of achievement and of creativity. And, like any engine, it can be well-cared for, retuned, rebuilt...and with certain tools and add-ons, a whole lot more horsepower can be elicited.

What revs up your curiosity? Vroom-vroom!