I’ve not mentioned one important thing in my metaphoric imagery with the four pillars. These pillars have to be connected by links, by numerous links, solid links, in all directions, but only inward.
That means taking responsibility for them in a given context. Curiosity is a natural condition for a human. We cannot not have it. However, the way it moves seems to be random and directed by attention. Directing your attention in a specific direction requires effort as well, even greater than maintaining your curiosity. And it is the same with creativity, it has to be directed inwards. If these two are not directed inwards then any outward connection can pull any pillar away and the roof collapses.
This paragraph above is a new addition to the theory described here, never thought of it before. Now you may be persuaded that it requires effort because these words simply don’t just fly by themselves on the page. I make them and put them there. This kind of effort pleases me, which is the only way that I can do it. I don’t think I was born this way, but I became this way and was moulded this way by life, by the people I met (good and bad) by the books I read, by the joys of successes I had and by the pains of all my failures. Did I plan to become this way? Certainly not. Was there a grand design at work? Maybe there was the intellectual curiosity and restlessness of my dad and the gentleness and kindness of my mum. Maybe these two inspired and guided my steps on this path. I am proud with what and who I am. I would put in the effort to contribute to my own children feeling what I feel now. It feels good. Hey, please don’t get this man wrong! I’ve not gone completely mad and melancholic, I’m not delusional and in denial, as I say it feels good right now, that doesn’t mean I don’t have to deal with frustrations, fear and pain. Oh, no, there’s plenty of that but it still feels good.