This I Believe -- Brenden Stark

This I Believe

Brenden Stark

I was young. Ignorant. Innocent. Stupid. Anyone will be a little overwhelmed their first time at an amusement park, and I was no different. Growing up in “Happy Valley Utah”, Stranger Danger was a topic I had little experience with. As my family stopped at a picnic table, I continued on, seeking to quench the burning thirst for knowledge that consumed my mind. I followed my sister for several hundred feet, curiosity the only thing in my mind, and naturally asked her a question. Only it wasn’t my sister.

The moment the woman turned around, a new light, a horrible realization, filled my mind. I ran off before any physical damage could be done, but the lesson was learned. A lack of knowledge cannot and will not be tolerated in this world, a world of harsh understanding that will drown anything not aware of the path it will take.

Knowledge is beautiful. It adds awe and inspiration to everyday life. I have spent every day of my life chasing down and cherishing every bit of knowledge that I can possibly get my hands on. On the flipside of that coin is the human weakness, ignorance. I have squeezed as much as I can from every waking moment, working to eradicate the infection that is stupidity from my own mind. While the quest for knowledge has saved countless lives, incompetence and just plain stupidity has cost many more.

Proving someone else wrong is always fun. But while knowing more than someone about a certain subject is a gift, knowledge in itself is a necessity. Ever since my escapade at Disneyland, I have come to know about many life-saving ideas, knowing who you are talking to the least of these.

Knowledge will not only bring safety and security, but happiness and joy. As I sit through classes or flip to some science show, a little bit of wonder begins to push through the shroud of boredom. And, as I choose to feed that wonder, the fog of ignorance begins to dissipate and be replaced with a light of wisdom and clarity.

Knowledge is our friend. As we push through this life, it not only provides a way to escape our worries and problems, it makes the path we must take a little easier. It is always there for us to pursue, and the more we have, the better life becomes. This I Believe. That Knowledge is our Greatest Ally.