The Value of Knowledge

Knowledge is valuable only when we are willing to use what we know. Knowing what to do, but not doing it serves no purpose. Taking the time to learn and using that knowledge is the key to becoming and staying healthy, wealthy and wise. When we are sick, broke and ignorant it is because we have failed to acquire and utilize knowledge to improve our lives. Libraries and bookstores are on every corner. The World Wide Web is at our fingertips. Why do we continue to live our lives lacking the basic skills to maintain our health and well-being? Is it because we like being ignorant?

Many people actually do like being ignorant and use ignorance as an excuse to avoid responsibility. We could always blame the doctor if we suffer high blood pressure and have a stroke. We did not know that we were eating unhealthy foods. Wasn't it our doctor's job to tell us to give up the daily habit of eating fast-food, and go take a walk? Ignorance serves as a justification for our failure to take responsibility for the choices we make. Do we really want to be healthy, or do we want to eat like pigs and blame society because we become sick and obese?

People learn about things that they value and find important. When we value our health, we eat healthy foods and exercise. When we value security and want to get ahead financially, we reduce spending money on things we want and only purchase the essentials. We even work part-time on the side to increase our incomes. We do not have time to blame the economy because we are too busy acquiring knowledge to improve our lives. We are reading books, making notes and taking action. We understand that there is lot to learn, and we make an effort to gain more knowledge.

It is difficult imagining how people can simply drift through life in ignorance when there is every opportunity for learning to occur. Knowledge is easy to access, and usually free. We simply need to keep an open mind. Have you ever eaten in a Vietnamese restaurant? Are you willing to read a book about life in China? Do you have friends from different ethnic and religious backgrounds? Have you ever used alternative medicine? Are you even curious about how the rest of the world lives? Life is very different on the other side of the planet. We would benefit greatly from taking the time to learn about the world. Children need to be exposed to worldviews, cultures and religions that are different from their own. As a society, we are closed-minded, intolerant and ignorant about life outside the United States. Our lack of knowledge will lead to a difficult future for generations to come.

Knowledge is priceless and when used properly offers an abundance of rewards such as health, wealth, and happiness. Knowledge allows us to become self-sufficient. We are born naturally curious with the desire to learn. We are born filled with creativity. Our potential is unlimited. Take advantage of every moment that you have to learn something new, and watch your life improve. Knowledge is valuable, but ignorance is worthless.