Noun--part of speech, name of a person, place, thing or abstract idea (not the content, but the name as in "philosophy, mathematics")
To a large extent it seems as if we have become a generation, the subjects of whose vocal interchanges are limited to nouns. Our discussions are about people we know or have heard about: their conditions, actions, etc., places we've been or wish we had, etc., and things (inanimate objects as in houses, cars, clothes, bank accounts, country club memberships, etc.). This type of conversation takes little brain involvement. Remember the old adage, "What you don't use, you lose." The exploration of ideas seems to be generally excluded, especially in creative, challenging and important areas. Is it just lazy brains? No intellectual curiosity? Or do we think we have "arrived" at correct conclusions on all matters of importance--and they need no further examination? Whatever the reason, it amounts to a sort of "shutdown" of a function of the mind. Innovative (dare I say, even a little controversial?) thinking is absent from general conversation. Are we not self-controlled enough to dig deeply into profound thinking and share and compare with others conclusions we've drawn from life experiences? Might it not be interesting and profitable to learn from exchanging information on lessons learned, mistakes made, what works and what doesn't? Sharing ideas in the corridors of our minds that have stirred our soul with others, might that not be a gold mine?
New circumstances, new facts, new stimuli come into our lives daily as long as we live. Wouldn't it be expedient to explore them with others who are experiencing the very same phenomena? Relationships deepen when there is freedom and interest in sharing profound ideas drawn from living our individual lives. It's a fertile field for learning and teaching as "Iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens the understanding of his friend." Proverbs 27:17
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Aline, I think you are on to something here. I remember when I was growing up, people seemed to share experiences and thoughts more. These things help us bond and deepen our perspective on issues of life. Thanks for sharing. Thomas
