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\u201cWe are more ready to try the untried when what we do is inconsequential. Hence the remarkable fact that many inventions had their birth as toys\u201d (Eric Hoffer).<\/p>\n
DELIGHTFUL THINGS OFTEN OCCUR WHEN WE\u2019RE WILLING TO TRY SOMETHING NEW. Perhaps that\u2019s why children\u2019s lives are so full of joy: their natural sense of playfulness encourages them to turn things upside-down and inside-out. The lives of young people fairly bristle with innovation, and the discoveries they make are often of benefit to those much older than themselves.<\/p>\n
As grown-ups, we often find it hard to get the right balance when it comes to innovation. Sometimes we go to the extreme of worshiping whatever is new, and we foolishly throw overboard anything that has any age or tradition to it. When we\u2019re in this mode, we need to be reminded that there\u2019s nothing inherently valuable about something new; its value depends upon its context, and we need to think twice before we smash a tradition that can\u2019t be recovered once it\u2019s destroyed. Innovation and change are not synonymous.<\/p>\n
Yet we often go to the other extreme as well. In our conservatism, we become so tied to the status quo that we reject innovations that would be truly helpful. The apple cart becomes so sacred that we dare not risk upsetting it. Yet, as Frank A. Clark suggested, \u201cWhy not upset the apple cart? If you don\u2019t, the apples will rot anyway.\u201d Obviously, it would be foolish to mindlessly apply that thinking to every situation, but there\u2019s no denying the creative value of the question itself: why not upset the apple cart?<\/em><\/p>\n Even in our personal relationships, there is a sense in which we should be wholesomely innovative. No matter what the problem or project, if others can count on us to bring a fresh and helpful perspective to the effort, that\u2019s a fine reputation to have.<\/p>\n Whatever may be our individual talents and abilities, these were meant to be used \u2014 energetically and even innovatively. If we\u2019re actively engaged with life, we\u2019ll make some delightful discoveries while trying out new approaches to old problems. We\u2019ll be willing, at least once in a while, to experiment \u2014 just like the curious child who says, \u201cI wonder what would happen if you did it this<\/em> way?\u201d<\/p>\n I will work out the divinity that is busy within my mind Gary Henry \u2013 WordPoints.com + AreYouaChristian.com<\/p>\n
And tend the means that are mine.
(Pindar)<\/p>\n