4 ms·

I think this is an unhealthy desire, as it's impossible to achieve. You should replace it with its source, like "I want to provide wisdom to my community", and

by luplex 4y ago

I think this is an unhealthy desire, as it's impossible to achieve. You should replace it with its source, like "I want to provide wisdom to my community", and then let that guide you in prioritizing your time

wccrawford 4y ago
Yeah, my first thought what that it would be better to focus on what you want to do, rather than what you want to know.
- charliewallace 4y ago
  Focusing on doing something is like having a goal, which is known to be good for mental health. It's OK if the goal changes from time to time. There's a really great book about how having a goal helped people survive the concentration camps in WW2, called "Man's search for meaning", highly recommended reading. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man%27s_Search_for_Meaning https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man%27s_Search_for_Meaning
srvmshr 4y ago
I think the OP knows this and thats why he has asked the community. So brushing off by a casual "duh, grow up" isn't the way to go A few people I talked to in life, have this love for learning everything to the point they feel "afraid to die" before mastering something. They aren't Einsteins - they know that. But having that insatiable curiosity to learn something through & through. It is sad to be empathetic but also a revelation how passionate some folks are. And although its a terrible plan by design, it personally keeps them going on & on. I think what they need to understand is "how much expertise" is good enough. Finding inner balance is as important as finding expertise.
- pitsnatch 4y ago
  "A few people I talked to in life, have this love for learning everything to the point they feel "afraid to die" before mastering something." Damn, that describes me pretty much. Though I just feel sad that I'll die because I can't learn everything that I'm curious about. I felt this much stronger in college. Now not so much. Just trying to survive now.
  - srvmshr 4y ago
    Trust me. You aren't alone. And there is nothing to feel bad about it. I have it to some degree (although a bit unidimensional - I just want to finish all my purchased math & engineering books). That brought me to the conversation with others in the first place. Keep the curiosity alive. Its a powerful, motivating force. Just don't get too anxious. One way I think about it, is that someone will pick up the torch - someone who follows my work, blog, maybe my children. I did that for my father's dreams. If not, you are long dead already & it won't matter. That gives a sense of closure
    - pitsnatch 4y ago
      That's very insightful. "Keep the curiosity alive. Its a powerful, motivating force. Just don't get too anxious." You're so right about that. I just realized I had much more zest for life when I was more curious. I should try to cultivate more curiosity.

by luplex 4y ago

wccrawford 4y ago

Yeah, my first thought what that it would be better to focus on what you want to do, rather than what you want to know.

charliewallace 4y ago
Focusing on doing something is like having a goal, which is known to be good for mental health. It's OK if the goal changes from time to time. There's a really great book about how having a goal helped people survive the concentration camps in WW2, called "Man's search for meaning", highly recommended reading. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man%27s_Search_for_Meaning https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man%27s_Search_for_Meaning

srvmshr 4y ago

I think the OP knows this and thats why he has asked the community. So brushing off by a casual "duh, grow up" isn't the way to go A few people I talked to in life, have this love for learning everything to the point they feel "afraid to die" before mastering something. They aren't Einsteins - they know that. But having that insatiable curiosity to learn something through & through. It is sad to be empathetic but also a revelation how passionate some folks are. And although its a terrible plan by design, it personally keeps them going on & on. I think what they need to understand is "how much expertise" is good enough. Finding inner balance is as important as finding expertise.

pitsnatch 4y ago
"A few people I talked to in life, have this love for learning everything to the point they feel "afraid to die" before mastering something." Damn, that describes me pretty much. Though I just feel sad that I'll die because I can't learn everything that I'm curious about. I felt this much stronger in college. Now not so much. Just trying to survive now.
- srvmshr 4y ago
  Trust me. You aren't alone. And there is nothing to feel bad about it. I have it to some degree (although a bit unidimensional - I just want to finish all my purchased math & engineering books). That brought me to the conversation with others in the first place. Keep the curiosity alive. Its a powerful, motivating force. Just don't get too anxious. One way I think about it, is that someone will pick up the torch - someone who follows my work, blog, maybe my children. I did that for my father's dreams. If not, you are long dead already & it won't matter. That gives a sense of closure
  - pitsnatch 4y ago
    That's very insightful. "Keep the curiosity alive. Its a powerful, motivating force. Just don't get too anxious." You're so right about that. I just realized I had much more zest for life when I was more curious. I should try to cultivate more curiosity.