No Such Thing as a Stupid Question
It sounds crazy I know.
What’s even crazier is that I’m not really sure of who to direct my questions to. To make matters worse, part of me feels as though I’m a bit wrong for even questioning certain things that I’ve always been taught are necessary, true, and correct.
But I’m sure you’re wondering, “What’s your question?” and “What’s the point of this rambling?”
My point is that we’ve all encountered moments of uncertainty and I’ve had to remind myself that no matter what, it’s okay to ask questions.
Many of us as adults have grown to adopt certain practices and traditions without ever giving any of it a second thought until we have an experience that challenges our belief. However, after so long, we become ashamed at the thought of questioning something that we were taught was right all of our lives.
Although it may sound a bit elementary, we’ve all heard that there is no such thing as a stupid question. However, that logic mainly referred to questions regarding lessons in school. What I’m referring to has less to do with understanding an elementary lesson and more to do with our experiences, a discovery of indisputable facts, and the existential philosophies of life and how they can sometimes contradict what we’ve always been taught especially as it relates to culture, politics, and religion.
Honestly, whether we’d like to admit it or not, we all have questions deep within that we’d love to have the answers to but are just too afraid to ask. It could be that we’re too afraid of the possible backlash, or that we feel guilty for even having certain questions. Or it could be that we simply do not know how to ask.
As human beings it’s natural to question things. It’s how we learn and it helps us to improve in order to move forward thereby adapting and evolving.
Little kids who are discovering everything new about a brand new world are going to ask questions.
Teenagers who are fighting for their independence and don’t understand the logic of rules will ask questions.
Even as adults, each new experience in life that brings about a new perspective can change what you thought you knew and cause you to have questions.
Know that sometimes, asking questions will take courage because in doing so you are challenging the normal, traditional state of things around you. Not everyone is going to take that well. Therefore, you will have to desire truth and understanding more than you care about how others will perceive you.
Be willing to be vulnerable and ask the questions in life that need to be asked.
Be ready for an answer.
And…
Be open to the truth even if it isn’t what you want to hear.
Some believe that ignorance is bliss but there is nothing good about a lack of growth and a slow demise.
There is no such thing as a stupid question.
“…in all thy getting, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7
A. L. Hearn