We live in a construct we
call reality. The rules of this
construct are both visible (e.g., traffic signs) and invisible (e.g., women are
inferior to men). The visible rules are
of course tangible; we generally know or can research their parameters,
determine who put them in place and why. But few people will actually admit
that the invisible rules are actually rules,
largely because these rules have become our basic operating assumptions about the
way things are – i.e., our reality. We accept and rely on these assumptions (or
frames of reference) to the extent that getting through the day without them is
pretty much unthinkable.
Questions about these
invisible rules will inevitably arise when our adherence to them becomes uncomfortable
or burdensome. This questioning process
is one of introspection until we develop the courage to pose these questions
publicly. If you’ve begun this process
and feel daunted by it, or just feel lonely in your quest, I’d like to offer some
encouragement. How? By publicly posing some thoughts and questions
for all to consider:
What if actively engaging our imagination is more
productive and valuable than any other human pursuit?
What if the most highly evolved and intelligent
species on earth is dolphins? or
bees? or sunflowers?
What if digital technology is actually the single
greatest deterrent to human advancement and progress?
What if everything we've learned – from our nuclear
families, our friends and associates, our teachers and mentors, and our various
news and information sources – is skewed or wrong? For example, when I was a child in the early ‘60’s,
I learned that cow’s milk was an absolutely essential part of a healthy diet;
had my parents refused to give me milk, they most likely would have been considered
neglectful parents.
Since over the passage of time research changes the facts, should
not our thinking right now embrace the possibility that what we
understand and accept as valid in any given area of thought just might be completely
wrong?
What purpose do these questions
and thoughts serve? How do they help us to
live and get through the problems we encounter every day? Questioning our reality helps us to better
understand the nature and essence of the
problems we face, enabling us to actually solve them rather than apply mere
temporary fixes. Questioning
our assumptions means that we’re willing and able to think freely for ourselves, a fundamental quality of freedom.
What if our ability to live as free human beings hinged on the questions we asked?
Copyright October, 2013 by Dianne Durham
