Change

It is coming up to a new year, and that always brings the idea of change to mind. For many people, it is often about some massive shift in lifestyle. “Go to the gym”, “eat better”,  “make a million dollars” (Who doesn’t want to do that?) It is always some dramatic change to one's life that is seldom sustainable. That’s not to say it can not be done, but it will be difficult. Heck, I’m going to try to do some of it myself. 

But the most significant change I would like to make for myself this year is to be curious. To ask more questions. I’m not talking about the “meaning of life” type of questions either. Simple questions about things I see every day. The things I photograph and the places I visit. I want to learn about the trees I see. What kind of tree is it? How long do they live? Are they indigenous to the region? Maybe it is the history of a place that has me curious. I could learn when they were established. By whom, and why? Have a slight understanding of how the places I explore came to be, or more importantly, have been protected and preserved. I would like to know more about the things that interest me beyond just “oh, that’s pretty”. There is nothing wrong with admiring something for its beauty, but perhaps that beauty will be all the more magnificent if I know something more. If I just ask questions.

Change can bring about new experiences. New opportunities. New possibilities. It does not need to be a dramatic change either. Small changes can make a big difference. Sometimes that change is as simple as asking questions.