"Don't you wonder?"
Lessons from a five year old
“Don’t you wonder why this tree has these tiny pine cones that turn into dust?” my daughter asked as we were walking around the neighborhood.
I can’t say that I did ever wonder that. Because I knew what they were and why the tree had them: they were the remnants of the pollen cones.
But ever since my 5 year old asked me this question, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it. I haven’t necessarily been thinking about the cones, or spruce tree reproduction per se. But I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this idea of “don’t you wonder?”
How often do I go about my day not wondering about things because I think I already know? Take a glance and move on.
How often do I wear these blinders of knowledge (my degree, my training, my “booksmarts”) instead of pausing, taking a second look, and asking why? Why are they like that? Why do they do this specific thing? Why do they occur here?
If we had stood with those questions a while maybe we would have noticed that the pollen cones were on the lower branches while the ovulate cones (the ones you typically think of when you thing of spruce and pine cones) are generally concentrated on the uppermost portions of the trees.
In noticing the distinct locations of the two types of cones we might have wondered why that is the case. Which would have led us to new observations and probably more questions. Questions and observations, over and over, in a continuous loop until we can say we “know”.
In a world where we can find an answer to any question in a few quick taps on a keyboard or phone, I think there is value in wondering. In not knowing all the answers, and not looking them up right away, but taking the time to observe, to question, and to wonder.
It’s not something I’m great at, but it is a trait I’m trying to cultivate.
How are you cultivating curiosity and wonder in your life?
This is a great question to ask while engaged in gospel study, too! I tend to rush through reading the scriptures sometimes, but I need to wonder and ponder as I go.
What a great question! One that can be applied to anything in life that we think we know. I, too, think there is value in wondering, though, like you, it is a skill I can improve. I’m going to try asking G’s question this week! It’s the perfect way to create a pause and allow the questions and observations to naturally flow. Thanks for this post! I love reading your (and G’s) thoughts!