Have you ever observed how small children continually experiment, albeit at a rudimentary level? They do so quite naturally. It’s instinctive behaviour so that they can make sense of life and their place in it.
As they do, they discover what’s real and what isn’t, what tastes good and what doesn’t, what hurts, burns and pricks and generally what they like and don’t like.
They don’t become attached to outcomes; they simply learn and move on, always ready to continue expanding.
I'm kissing myself but there seems to be something in the way....
As a school going kid, Science was not one of my favourite subjects except for those lessons that involved experiments. I never missed one. What a lot of fun we had – chemical volcanic eruptions, stink bombs and bending water just to name a few I still remember well.
We asked endless “what if …” questions, and we were always filled with excited anticipation and hope that we would through trial and error create something unexpected and magnificent.
We often did and when we didn’t, we never thought we had failed. We simply went back to the drawing board to work on what was next. Our ideas and enthusiasm was boundless.
Experiments either work or they don’t but they are never ‘wrong’. They simply create a need for more wondrous exploration.
Somehow as adults we forget about the joy that is experimenting. We want to know whether something will work out before we do it. We want to know all the details before we make a move. We fear that the outcome will be ‘wrong’ or that we will be judged by others if we don’t succeed. We have given up the freedom that comes from having faith that no matter what happens; everything will work out in the end.
One person who knew we should never stop experimenting was Ralf Waldo Emerson, American essayist, lecturer and poet who led the Transcendentalist movement of the mid-19th century. He said:
“All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better”
What a fantastic reminder to us that all our learning about ourselves is nothing but a series of ongoing experiments. There is no final conclusion, only developments along the way that leads us to the next experiment. There is no need to “get anywhere”.
As we learn about what we don’t like and don’t want in our lives, we immediately know what do like and do want. Then our job is to focus on what we want and through focused thought, create the reality we desire. There will always be more of what we don’t like since this contrast exists to help us expand further. This contrast is nothing more than our next experiment.
In what way do you live your life as an ongoing experiment?
Do you think it’s possible for us as adults to experiment more like kids do?
Can we un-learn the behaviour that keeps us from doing this?
Have your say in the comments section and I’ll meet you there. Please also be sure to share this post with your followers who may also like to join the conversation. Thank you.
Be Happy!
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Hi Marcus,
Luv this idea and I truly intend to live my life according to the Emerson quote. He is my favorite author for penning thoughts like these.
Kids experiment, learn and move on. Adults tend to what to know the end result before experimenting. They want certainty, in an uncertain world, which is lunacy. Take a lesson from a kid. Experiment, learn and move forward.
Thanks for sharing!
RB
Ryan Biddulph recently posted..Learn the Quickest and Easiest Way to Become Financially Free
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 25th, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Hi Ryan,
I agree with you sentiments re Emerson.
I especially appreciate his ideas about individuality, freedom, the ability for humankind to realize almost anything, and the relationship between the soul and the surrounding world.
Our natural way is to be as we were as kids… to be unattached and to continue expanding but it’s something we lose as we get older. I agree with you though… let’s be kids again and discover the joy that comes simply from the process of experimenting.
Thanks for your always valuable comments Ryan.
~Marcus
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Great post Marcus, and so well written!
It is indeed true that kids love to experiment and in their innocence come up with unique thing as well. They love to take risks and learn along the way.
Somehow, we as adults forget to enjoy life and make it more complicated by living it the way we do! I wish we could travel back in time and become one of those kids we always loved to be.
Thanks for sharing
Harleena Singh recently posted..Developing Trust in Friendship
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 25th, 2011 at 4:08 pm
Hi Harleena,
Thank you for the positive feedback. It is much appreciated.
Like you I also think it would be awesome if we could go back and just re-capture the innocence that was.
People often say if only they could go back knowing what they know now but to this I always say that you would not experience it in the same way. The moment is the moment only in the moment.
Thanks for adding to the discussion Harleena.
~Marcus
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What an awesome reminder right in the first paragraph! Jeez.
It makes me fee like I have done my ‘exploring’ an simply ‘given up’ or just ‘remembered the outcomes from before’ without re-evaluating them later in life.
Strange.
I do think that it’s important to be open throughout life. Open to new concepts and ideas. Maybe that is how I have shifted. From physical objects to concepts and ideas. I am a very open person. I never discredit anything or run something down before I try it myself or see extensive data on something.
Dang, I am getting deep.
Nice reminder – definitely gets me thinking
Brock Blohm recently posted..Residual Income VS. No Residual Income
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 25th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
Hey Brock…
I get the feeling that you are as you say a very open person Brock which is what allows you to interact with what you encounter and make changes as you go.
We all do still experiment as we go through life although we may not think of it as such. This is why it’s so important to experience the contrast that comes our way which only does so when we embrace life fully.
I am pleased this got you thinking Brock. My job is done then…
~Marcus
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Hi Marcus,
wonderful post, thanks for sharing your insights. I love it you how nail our adult attitude: We want to figure out the outcome before we even get started. Well, there are some areas in life and business where we expect that, for example surgery or construction of bridges. And saying “Let’s see if this plane flies.” wouldn’t be very assuring either. But if not the Wright brothers who tried and tried and tried and were ridiculed by their own father (“If God had meant men to fly, He would have given them wings.”), we wouldn’t fly today.
In most cases, we don’t even try when the dangers aren’t mortal.
My life started becoming an ongoing experiment three years ago when I questioned the financial consulting business I am part of for the first time seriously, after nearly 12 years in this business. Before that, it hadn’t been quiet, but in a certain boring routine.
Be blessed
Oliver
Oliver Tausend recently posted..Why Your Physical Trash Equals Your Mental Trash
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Hi Marcus,
I love the examples kids are showing us everyday even though they come with a handful of chores too. I have two myself, and everyday watching them play and learn is incredible. Where did they get their energy from?
If there is anything, we all must become students of our kids again. I think we marginalize their actions too frequently and then to brand them as immature for their age. But is that really the case?
At the most critical juncture, I think kids are our greatest teachers. Like you mentioned, their love for experimentation is something natural. Because of that, they learn so much faster. Isn’t that a great lesson for us? The reason why we have slowed down is because we have slowed down experimenting.
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[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 26th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
Hi Jimmy,
Children can definitely teach us a great deal. I believe this is because they are naturally closer to Source.
It’s as we get older we drift further away and complicate matters for ourselves and then have to un-learn the self limiting behaviour we take on.
I agree that we do unfortunately want our kids to “grow up” like us when in fact we should be the ones aiming to be more like them.
Here’s to experimenting more Jimmy!
~Marcus
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Jimmy Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 5:22 am
Hi Marcus,
So getting back to our source is the key. No wonder there are these new age things like meditation, contemplation, LOA, etc. I think the world is awakening to this age old wisdom that our kids and we knew at one point all a long.
Jimmy recently posted..What is true friendship?
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 27th, 2011 at 6:41 am
Hi Jimmy,
Totally. There is a huge awakening happening right now and as you correctly point out, children still recall who they really are, because it is not that long ago that they were still one with the greater part of who they are.
For us it may take a little more remembering but just the slightest inclination is all it takes to set the journey back in motion.
~Marcus
Marcus Baker recently posted..Make Life an Ongoing Joyous Experiment
The big difference between adulthood and being a child is complacency. It’s easy to allow a complacent attitude to sneak in, when we could keep experimenting and learning. Some people give up on learning new things altogether.
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Marcus Baker Reply:
October 26th, 2011 at 6:37 pm
Hi Darren,
Thanks for adding your insights here.
I agree that complacency gets in the way. Do you think this comes about due to us getting caught up with too many unimportant details or for some other reason?
~Marcus
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Hmm, what a great and thoughtful post. That line from Waldo really put it all in shape. I think I’m really guilty of this, not stepping out when I know I should just because of the what I think the consequences will be. Thank you for helping me look more deeply into this.
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Marcus Baker Reply:
February 10th, 2012 at 10:54 pm
Hey Chadrack,
Awesome to have you visit and pleased the post helped you to look at this topic a little more deeply.
~Marcus
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Hey Marcus,
Those experiments in science class sounded like fun. We never got to do anything like that when I was in school. I might have enjoyed that class more had we actually gotten to do some.
If I’ve learned one thing in this life it’s that we all don’t do everything the same. Sure, the process of doing certain things might have a certain formula to it but the outcome can always be tweaked so that you can experience the process in your own way.
I have learned this lesson a lot since venturing online and creating my own business. I’ve gotten plenty of advice and training on the “how to’s” but sometimes just adding your own flair or putting something new into something to spice it up makes a big difference with the outcome.
I think experimenting with different things is great. It keeps it interesting and never dull.
Thanks for this post Marcus, you really got me to thinking about this one.
~Adrienne
Adrienne recently posted..Attention All Baby Boomers…It Is Never Too Late
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Hey Marcus,
Fantastic post my friend. What a great reminder…
When I was 4 years old every day was a continuos joy. Playing games with nuts, laughing, screaming, inventing crazy stuff from mud and sand. I even owned my first business..lol. A mini restaurant(built from boxes for fruits) who offered quality food(from my fridge of course) in exchange for pure gold (nuts of course).Ahh, splendid days….
I intend to live from now on to work,play, laugh and love with the same intensity & curiosity I had at that age.
People who have 50, 60 years old forget to even smile. They think life is on the final phase for them. All they have to do is to recover that childish heart where all is just a great experiment.
Thanks for sharing your insight.
You made my day
Best,
Radu
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Hey Marcus,
I am with you here. I really don’t believe in failure because The only failure would be to give up.
So many “play it safe” for fear of failure or looking bad. I use athletes as an example of not being afraid to fail.
Micheal Jordan, Brett Favre, Babe Ruth, all failed more than they succeeded yet they are not known as failures in their sport at all.
For me, the fear was about how others would view me if I failed, it stings to be viewed as a failure. Of course this was taught to me as a child but it still sticks with me.
We can totally unlearn this behavior by acting in spite of it. I love to experiment because it feels fun; like playing.
Take care…
Justin | Mazzastick recently posted..Getting Beyond the Time Loop and the Matrix
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[...] his post Make Life an Ongoing Joyous Experiment, Marcus reminds us to become more like we were as children and grasp the opportunities in life even [...]
Hi Marcus
This is a great post and was something I was just talking about the other day. I am in Bali now and the beach we go to has a whole bunch of people learning to surf. I noticed that so many of the younger kids are doing an amazing job and I was commenting to my boyfriend that I bet it has a lot to do with the fact that they are just in the moment and having fun with it. They are not plagued with issues of the adult mind such as fear of trying something new, doubting you will be able to do it and the like. I envy the agenda-free carefree existence of children, who have not yet been polluted by “reality” as many like to call it. I have been much better about experimenting and just going for it in recent years. Few decisions in life are irreversible and if something does not work out, I will deal with it, but I am much less inclined now to forgo doing things based on one fear or another.
Kelli Cooper recently posted..Why People Prefer Negativity and Pessimism
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Hi Marcus,
Ahh, to be a kid again… I often wished I could go back to childhood (although I’d choose different circumstances) and start over.
Like you said, kids learn by doing and experimenting and are not attached to the outcome. As adults we are not quick to try out new things, we think too much and we also question … “what if?” We also compare ourselves to much to others and care what other people think. Children don’t do that. They quite frankly don’t care.
I believe in order to live Emerson’s quote we would have to let go of our fears and worries, stop comparing ourselves to others, and just go and do it. Not an easy task. It would take total re-programming.
Cheers,
Ilka
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[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
October 30th, 2011 at 5:27 am
Hi Ilka,
It all starts with deciding to live differently which as you say is not that easy but possible if one really chooses to do it.
Thanks for adding to the conversation here Ilka.
~Marcus
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Marcus, this is the most amazing post I have read in a while and just what I needed. Yes, as adults we can also do it, but we must have the faith and not be attached to the outcome – that’s when the magic happens.Thank you for sharing this.
Ana recently posted..Thesis Theme
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Marcus Baker Reply:
February 10th, 2012 at 10:51 pm
Hi Ana,
My apologies but while going through a whole lot of old spam comments I came across yours. My apologies but at least I found it and better late than never as “they” say.
I am please you found this post meaningful Ana. Having faith is the key and sometimes it takes work to remind ourselves that we are are powerful beings who will always be provided for if only we will trust in the Divine.
~Marcus
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Marcus, aloha. Love, love, love the picture and the early recognition of self-love. It is so perfect!
Actually, for the most I have lived my life with an attitude of experimenting.
Because I love learning and doing new things, I was always conscious of how much I didn’t know about a particular topic. Because of that, I didn’t expect to get it right the first time or even the 10th time. If researchers are correct and it takes 10,000 hours to become an expert, why would I think that I would be one before the first hour is even up?
My interest has always been in doing whatever to see if I liked or enjoyed “it” rather than in getting it right. In fact, I am very comfortable achieving an end result that satisfies me even if it does not suit the “traditional” or “normal” way of doing it. To me, all that matter is that it works for me.
Once I start doing something, I can tell fairly quickly if I have an interest in investing the time to learn how to become more proficient. When I was playing golf, I used to laugh to myself and wonder about the people who would get upset on the golf course because the ball did not go where they wanted it to go.
Of course, these same people only played golf a few times a month and rarely practiced. Helloooooo, how do you expect to learn if you don’t practice? Since pros practice countless hours, take lessons, have coaches and their balls to not always go as they want, why should these weekend golfers expect that all their shots will be perfect Amazing.
A willingness to experiment and perceived failure are far too tied together from what I have observed in most people.
Thanks again, Marcus, for another thought provoking post. It is always with great pleasure that I look forward to reading your latest post.
Best wishes for a terrific week ahead. Until next time, aloha. Janet
Janet Callaway recently posted..25 Random Things About Me
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Hey Marcus,
What a great post! I love what you’ve said. Time is definitely moving super fast. We live today next thing you know 2 weeks have passed. It’s always nice to slow things down and get back to our inner child. We sometimes grow way too fast that we forget what it’s like to calm down and experiment different things in life. It’s definitely amazing how we teach children and they can teach us a whole lot as well.
I personally love experiments. I love trying new things and I love spicing things up. It’s the exciting way to live life. Life is lived once. Let’s make the most out of it.
Thanks for the great post! Keep it up!
Pj Zafra recently posted..Sean’s Thoughts For The Week Ahead – 9
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
February 10th, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Hi there PJ!
Fantastic to read that you are an experiment type person. Making the most of life is sometimes only realised when we have lived too much of it with regret.
I agree let’s get out there and have fun!
~Marcus
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[...] Find a great sample here: “Make Life an Ongoing Joyous Experiment” [...]
Marvelous pictures and very early self -knowledge that self-esteem is very important! The thing I like most about kids that they are so sincere, not with some hidden thoughts and so pure:) Very nice article:)
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Marcus Baker Reply:
February 10th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Hi Anna,
I am pleased you enjoyed this article, You are right, kids are a lot more honest and spontaneous which is exactly why we can all learn a lot from them.
~Marcus
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I must admit, there are times when I want to make sure that every decision will give me positive result. A sort of perfectionist I guess. However, the more I think that way, the higher the chance that I’m not learning anything from my experiences neither I can’t enjoy my life too. At least now you’ve reminded me the importance of our science experiment before. I still can remember how excited we (students) are in every lab experiments than class discussions! LOL
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[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
February 10th, 2012 at 10:41 pm
Hi Audrey,
Lovely to have you visit and leave a comment.
I like your point about how we can sometimes miss out on learning when we are concerned that everything should go well.
Sometimes it is a much better idea to do what we can and then take a risk, knowing that whatever happens it will al be fine.
~Marcus
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I appreciate his ideas about individuality, freedom, the ability for humankind to realize almost anything, and the relationship between the soul and the surrounding world, thanks for the post, keep sharing.
Jimmy Hawk recently posted..Best way to win the lottery
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Marcus Baker Reply:
November 24th, 2011 at 4:29 am
Hi Jimmy,
Welcome and thanks for leaving a comment.
~Marcus
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The big difference between adulthood and being a child is complacency. It’s easy to allow a complacent attitude to sneak in, when we could keep experimenting and learning. Some people give up on learning new things altogether.
[Reply]
Marcus Baker Reply:
December 11th, 2011 at 5:44 am
You make great sense. When we consciously make a point of learning new things, even though sometimes this may be uncomfortable, we live life and through the sifting of contrast we experiment a whole lot more.
~Marcus
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