Joyful Learning and the Meaning of Life

Neil Degrasse Tyson, the scientific director at the American Museum of Natural History and a dizzying expert on astrophysics, was once asked, by a six-year-old, about the meaning of life. His response resonated with me--the meaning of life is to learn something new every day, and to have fun doing it. 

I have always felt that, as a teacher, I had a leg up in this endeavor. Teachers learn every day, whether they want to or not. Spending time with students presents a curriculum that is dynamic and engaging, confounding, and inspiring. Every day. And it is really fun. 

While teachers may have had an advantage, in the not so distant past,  just moving about our normal lives, we all had ample opportunity to pursue Tyson’s meaning of life. 

However, in case you’ve missed it… Normal has left the building. 

We are all facing daily uncertainty and bewilderment, and we have no idea when it will slow down. 

Channeling my inner Neil Degrasse Tyson… How lucky are we!? 

In our “ new normal” we are all in a distinctly advantaged position to learn something new every day, and to have fun doing it. 

If you are an adult in view of children, virtually or actually, let them see your bewilderment, laugh with you at your blunders, and rejoice at the well earned epiphanies of new knowledge. We are learning dramatically all the time these days, and it should be a little fun.

If you are a student in view of adults, virtually or actually… Ditto. Adults need learning role models, and you all are the best! 

Find the fun in figuring things out. Unearth the joy in trial and error. Embrace the excitement of discovering a new interest. 

Learn with impunity, and let the people around you see you doing it!