Figuring Things Out

I got a new phone and I expect my experience is not unique. In fact, I believe it represents a universal human experience - understanding how something works.  of course, how people feel about the process varies.  Some people avoid anything new, perhaps, because they do not enjoy figuring things out; others love it - they can hardly wait, and even stand in line to get it first. How will it be different? Will it really change the way I do something, maybe even the way I think. Most of us are somewhere between these extremes.

I was happy enough with my old phone which definitely has a learning curve, at least for me. It was my first "smart" phone although I was familiar with the touch screen from having an iPad. Also, it was an iPhone and so it was a familiar operating system. I would still be using it except for the fact that the rural location I am in does not receive all the networks. The one I had worked sometimes but very slowly and even the phone was uncertain. Then a friend came with a phone that worked great with excellent speeds so a logical choice was to change. The only challenge was that I had to get a new phone. Well, actually I didn't have to but the cost would have been crazy for me, and I couldn't wait to look for a reasonably priced used iPhone since my current plan was expiring the next day. I didn't believe it was reasonable to pay another month for something that wasn't working when I could actually pay less for something that did and get a free phone.

So here I am having to figure it out again. as I thought about this I realized that this is the essence of the "Journey". From birth and before we are taking in data that our amazing brains make sense of and we "learn", and its always a unique experience for everyone. Unfortunately, our natural desire to learn, to know, to understand is often not encouraged, and many resign themselves to ignorance because they have come to believe they are unable to know or understand many things; yet examples abound of those who refused to accept the labels of society. Often, less educated formally, they pursue their desire with a thirst for the knowledge they need.  Sometimes known but usually not, these people abound. Generally, I enjoy learning but for some reason I'm not feeling it right now with this phone. Besides, Android? Robots with human form? Are they serious or is it just a joke. I would like to know that. Maybe I'll look it up on wikipedia. I'm sure they'll know.

Of course, figuring out a phone is trivial compared to the bigger questions such as, who am I, what is my purpose in life and how to be happy.  Many ancient traditions have addressed these questions in some manner for thousands of years, and today, books, movies, music and the Internet do as well; yet the number of unhappy people especially in America seems to be increasing based on a variety of indicators.  Nevertheless, there is also ample evidence everywhere that Transition is taking place. On the margins of nearly every institution are those pioneers paving the way, while in small communities everywhere people are joining together with the simple belief that we are all connected and there is a better way to live.  "Won't you join us"!

Be the Change!