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“Be Curious, Not Judgmental”
If you are an avid follower of my writings, you have visited my website (www.lynnscheid.com) where you will see my personal slogan. “Be Curious, not Judgmental, which I borrowed from the one and only Walt Whitman. I was first introduced to Walt Whitman in school when my teacher read O Captain! my Captain! Which I thought was engaging. As an adult, I have read most of Walt’s work as it seems to resonate with me.
To me, being curious and not judgmental means listening intently, listening deeply, and listening beyond the words. Judgement is filling in the gaps, not questioning anything, and focusing on the words alone. Curiosity is the moment without the stories, meanings, or predictions. To me, it means keeping an open mind, which I do, and maybe it’s realvant to the world we live in today.
In an age teeming with hashtags, sound bites, and 240-character judgments, the profound yet simple words of Walt Whitman reverberate through time like a refreshing echo of wisdom: “Be curious, not judgmental.” What did Whitman, that bushy-bearded bard of American unity, mean by this? More importantly, how does this phrase apply in our modern tapestry of living, where judgments often precede questions and curiosity is boxed within the pixels of a screen?
The Lifeblood of the Phrase
Walt Whitman was no stranger to the complexities of human nature. He was a keen observer of the human spirit and its eternal yearning for connection. As the author of “Leaves of Grass,” he celebrated not just the American dream but also the intrinsic beauty of human individuality and collective unity. It’s within this framework that his words “Be curious, not judgmental” really start to shimmer with significance.
Whitman invites us to approach life with an open heart and a yearning to understand, rather than a fixed set of preconceptions. To be curious is to be ever-enchanted by the kaleidoscope of human experience; it’s a thirst that leads us into enriching conversations, deeper relationships, and broader perspectives. In contrast, being judgmental can be likened to viewing the world through a keyhole: your scope is limited, your view is narrowed, and you’re likely missing out on the vast richness that life has to offer.
The Judgement Paradox
Now, let’s get real for a second. Our brains are hardwired to make quick assessments as a survival mechanism; it’s a residue of our cave-dwelling days. Back then, swift judgment could mean the difference between life and death. But we’re no longer dodging predators in the wild; we’re navigating social landscapes, cultural exchanges, and ideological mazes.
When judgment supersedes curiosity, we lose the ability to fully engage with the world around us. We trade the vivid colors of a diverse experience for the monochrome hues of stereotypes and assumptions. But here’s the catch: curiosity can exist in harmony with discernment. Having an open mind doesn’t mean you lack the ability to make informed judgments. On the contrary, informed judgments are usually the offspring of a curious mindset.
The Digital Age Connection
In today’s digital age, Whitman’s words bear an especially urgent message. Social media platforms have become modern coliseums where judgments are passed with the speed of a retweet. We often fall into echo chambers, finding comfort in the opinions that mirror our own, leaving no room for curiosity to foster growth or transformation.
Imagine, if you will, how applying Whitman’s mantra could revolutionize our interactions online and offline. What if, before sharing that snappy but polarizing tweet, we paused to be curious about the opposing viewpoint? What if we swapped the simplicity of labeling someone as just another ‘this’ or ‘that’ for the complexity and richness of seeing them as another human being full of stories, lessons, and experiences?
A Personal Invitation to a Universal Journey
So, consider this a personal invitation to heed Whitman’s timeless advice. Dive into the delicious ambiguity of life, seek out the unfamiliar, and ask questions that provoke thought rather than evoke defensiveness. Be the person in the room who’s not just accumulating data, but synthesizing understanding. Channel your inner Whitman, and let your curiosity be the compass that points you toward a more nuanced, compassionate, and enriched existence. After all, curiosity didn’t just kill the cat; it gave life to a world teeming with endless possibilities.
In the mellifluous words of Whitman himself, “What is that you express in your eyes? It seems to me more than all the print I have read in my life.” So, may your eyes, your actions, and your very being become an eternal expression of curiosity over judgment. Because curiosity isn’t just a youthful fancy; it’s a lifelong pursuit of what it means to be gloriously, messily, beautifully human.
The 2023 Imperative: Whitman’s “Be Curious, Not Judgmental” in Our Modern World
In a rapidly evolving world, where the gap between information and understanding seems to widen each day, the timeless wisdom of Walt Whitman’s “Be curious, not judgmental” resonates with poignant relevance. As we navigate the complexities of 2023, let’s delve into the key areas where embracing curiosity over judgment can be a transformative force.
The Social Media Landscape
In an environment where cancel culture is prevalent and opinions are often reduced to hashtags, Whitman’s call for curiosity serves as a sage reminder. A scroll down your Twitter or Instagram feed may reveal just how hasty judgments can be made without context or understanding. Rather than engaging in an echo chamber of similar perspectives, could we not choose to explore the rationale of differing opinions? The real challenge here is to consume information critically and curiously, opening dialogues instead of shutting doors.
The Ongoing Pandemic Saga
Even as we’re several years into the COVID-19 pandemic, new challenges continue to arise—booster shots, variants, debates over vaccine mandates. These medical and ethical puzzles are fertile grounds for judgment. Whitman urges us, instead, to be curious—about science, about public health, and about the nuanced concerns that people have. Curiosity encourages us to delve deeper into research, to ask challenging questions, and to approach community discussions with an empathetic openness.
The Global Climate Crisis
As natural disasters grow more frequent and intense, so does the finger-pointing. But what if we channeled that energy into curiosity? Imagine the innovative solutions that could be birthed from a collective desire to understand the intricacies of climate science, the economic factors at play, and even the psychological barriers that prevent action. This is not merely a plea for more data, but a call for a more profound understanding that can only arise when we replace judgment with curiosity.
Intersectionality and Social Justice
The matters of race, gender, and social justice have never been more at the forefront of public consciousness. Yet, too often, discussions around these crucial topics devolve into us-versus-them narratives. Whitman’s principle invites us to step back and ask, “Why?” and “How?”—to understand the historical context, systemic structures, and personal experiences that shape perspectives. By being genuinely curious, we create a space where constructive, inclusive conversations can occur.
The Workplace of Tomorrow
As remote work blurs the lines between professional and personal life, and as AI and automation continue to redefine roles, the need for curiosity is imperative. Gone are the days when one could excel merely by doing what’s expected. The workplace heroes of tomorrow are those who question the status quo, who are curious about how to optimize processes or improve team dynamics, who view challenges as opportunities to learn and grow.
A Lifelong Journey of Curiosity
As we confront the multifaceted challenges and opportunities of 2023, let Whitman’s wisdom serve as our North Star. “Be curious, not judgmental” is not just a phrase; it’s a life philosophy. It invites us to continuously explore, to question, to listen, and to grow. And in doing so, we not only enrich our own lives but contribute to a more compassionate, informed, and unified world.
So here’s to making 2023 a year of curiosity—a year where we pause to ask deeper questions, seek broader understanding, and find joy in the endlessly unfolding mystery that is life. Let’s not just survive this modern world; let’s engage with it, in all its glorious complexity, with eyes wide open and hearts full of wonder.
Who is Walt?
Walt Whitman: A Symphony of Individuality and Unity
Walt Whitman, born on May 31, 1819, in West Hills, New York, was not merely a poet but a luminous star in the literary cosmos, casting light on the intricate interplay between individuality and collective unity. His work, particularly his magnum opus, “Leaves of Grass,” is a powerful ode to the human spirit and the essence of American democracy.
The Early Years
Whitman was the second of nine children in a struggling working-class family. Despite leaving school at the age of 11 to support his family, he never lost his insatiable thirst for learning. He was largely self-taught, gleaning knowledge from an array of sources including the Bible, Homer, and Shakespeare. He dabbled in various professions, including teaching and journalism, even editing a few Brooklyn newspapers. But it was in the arena of poetry that Whitman found his true calling.
“Leaves of Grass”: A Turning Point
Published in 1855 at his own expense, “Leaves of Grass” was unlike any poetry that had come before it. It broke free from traditional poetic form and meter, opting instead for a free-flowing style that celebrated the complexity and diversity of human experience. Although it was initially met with mixed reviews, it caught the eye of some notable contemporaries like Ralph Waldo Emerson, who praised Whitman’s originality and vision.
The Civil War and Beyond
The American Civil War deeply influenced Whitman’s work and life. Moved by the suffering of wounded soldiers, he volunteered as a nurse in Washington D.C., tending to Union soldiers. These experiences permeated his later works, including “Drum-Taps” and “Memoranda During the War,” where he explored the complexities of human suffering, sacrifice, and the broader implications for American society.
The Legacy
Walt Whitman passed away on March 26, 1892, but his impact remains as vibrant as ever. He expanded the boundaries of poetic form, championed the worth of all individuals regardless of their social standing, and introduced a fresh, democratic spirit into American literature. His work is not merely a historical artifact but a living, breathing dialogue that continues to challenge, provoke, and inspire.
Through Whitman’s writings, we find a man who was paradoxically ahead of his time and yet very much a product of his era. His work resonates because it transcends the constraints of his period, serving as a call for humanity to recognize itself in each face, each soul, and each line of poetry. In essence, Whitman was not just singing the song of himself but orchestrating a symphony of what it means to be human.
So, as we delve into the verses and stanzas penned by Whitman, let us also pause to appreciate the man behind the words—a self-taught visionary whose curiosity and empathy expanded the realms of American thought and whose spirit continues to touch the depths of our collective soul.
