Dare
Naïve and loving it: me with my stuffed dog “Rex,” somewhere around 1958
“Dare to be naïve.” — Buckminster Fuller
We think of being naïve as something negative, and we generally don’t want others to see this trait in us. Aren’t the really cool people insiders, those in the know, those who are savvy and worldly-wise and experienced and cynical and acerbic? People no one would dare criticize because the comeback would be swift and stinging. People who are basically jerks, in other words. Hmm, maybe being naïve isn’t such a bad thing after all.
I’m a bit biased on this topic, because I am one who has often felt defensive about being ignorant of many harsh realities. If I hear a really smutty joke, chances are I won’t get it. Not too many years ago, I had to ask someone what “WTF” stood for, even though I’m far too coarse in my own use of words sometimes. Most other pop culture references sail right over my head, too. I was teased and called a “space cadet” in high school. Having married my first and only real boyfriend, I never had a romantic heartbreak until he died recently. And you know what? I have no regrets about any of these forms of “ignorance.”
Most of us learn things we’d rather not know as we grow older. That doesn’t mean we have to let that knowledge taint our innocent way of seeing the world. Where did we get the idea that innocence is a bad thing? For the record, I’ve never fallen for an email scam or a fast sales pitch or a phony get-rich-quick scheme. But that doesn’t mean I’m not naïve. It’s just that I’m not typically interested in any of the things the hucksters are trying to sell.
If you tend to be someone who distrusts other people, I imagine life isn’t much fun for you. I’m not saying we should not take reasonable precautions for safety, nor even that we should believe everything our friends and acquaintances tell us. But I do find that I enjoy the day more if I assume, until proven otherwise, that most of the people I run into today are going to be fairly decent types. Not perfect, not even necessarily likable, but fellow humans who are doing the best they can with their own sets of limitations, just as I am.
I wonder…if most of us dared to be just a bit more naïve, would we be happier? Are some forms of ignorance truly blissful? Until we turn off the television, put down the gossip magazines and quit letting other people decide for us what is cool, we may never know. To be sure, being naïve can be risky. That’s why it takes daring.
This post was first published seven years ago. The original post, comments and photo are linked, along with two other related posts, below. These links to related posts, and their thumbnail photos, do not appear in the blog feed; they are only visible when viewing the individual posts by clicking on each one. I have no idea why, nor do I know how they choose the related posts. That’s just the way WordPress does things.
Defeat Despair 
Good Morning Julia. I don’t watch much TV these days but I do watch YouTube videos mostly to learn how to. New things and with grandkids working around young people and having younger friends, I’m familiar with a saying or two from them. As for a scam I got scared by a lady who made Mr Haney from Green Acres look like Man of the year on Time Magazine cover. It wasn’t her singing the My fair Lady Song How wouldn’t it be lovely but something close to it minus the Yada Yada Yada. I digress. By the way I would see her again trying to take advantage of senior citizens as they were coming out of the dollar tree to their cars.My friend who owns a pizzeria nearby call the police as the lady does it alot harassing and solicit people for money. Other than that Mary fine and our 2 four legged children Destiny and Marley are acting like teenagers. Hope all is well with you and Matt. It may of been awhile but you are not forgotten. Have a great day and enjoyable Easter.
Hello Raynard, it’s always such fun to hear from you. Good for your friend with the pizzeria. I can see how having someone out harassing customers is bad for business. Begging seems to have gone mainstream around here and online, don’t get me started. (I’m sure you can imagine me running my mouth about it anyway.) I’m glad to hear that you and Mary are fine and your “teenage” dogs are keeping you young. Thank you for reminding me that we are not forgotten. You have always been good about that. And one of the nicest things I will always remember was when we were all (too many to name) leaving the Shady Maple and you called out to me “Julia!” and when I turned around you said “Remember…you have FRIENDS!” You might not remember that, but it meant a lot to me. One of these days we’ll all get together again in person. Till then give my love to Mary and an extra treat to Destiny and Marley for me, and have a beautiful Easter.
Hi Julia,
Seven years later, and I’m still in perfect agreement. Even the thought of learning things ‘we’d rather not know’ is not too bad. Cause now I’m at the stage that I forget more than I remember! 😂
Blessings to you and Matt!
Chris, I think forgetting can be a great thing…if only I could CHOOSE what I forget and what I remember! 😀