I have a lifetime validity. I don’t have an expiry date. Wise people acquire and use me while others misuse or leave me. I am otherwise known as curiosity. Sounds familiar? It’s because all of us have it in varied degrees. All humans are born with innocence, love and of course curiosity. Perhaps it was a Greek philosopher who once said, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” Dare I say curiosity too is the mother of invention. Curiosity is the foundation of any learning. Learning things out of curiosity is genuinely worth one’s while. With healthy curiosity, we will be able to know the things far better. It will give birth to innovative ideas. A curious mind is a creative mind. 
Children are born with it. But these days children are addicted to the virtual world. They are spending more time on it than on critical thinking. These addictions are only inviting troubles. Children often appear in the classrooms with lost concentration, sleepy eyes, dull minds, exhausted body and restless behaviour. These behavioural changes make them lonely and isolate them from school and family. Dependency on gadgets and disconnecting with the real world are paralysing the creative minds. As adults, we sometimes unwittingly thwart the curious minds of our kids. Adults should drive their children towards exploring to the other area of their interests. 
Now let’s talk about us adults. Curiosity is the most precious gift God has given to all of us. But as we grow older, we unknowingly distance ourselves from it. 
Why are we blaming our children for getting addicted to gadgets? As adults, we too most often are glued to the digital world. We are equally responsible for it. At dinner tables, families sit together but hardly interact. Let us figure out how to get connected again. Let us explore the beautiful creations around us. It will help us move forward and stay connected. Let us embrace curiosity. Learning is a continuous process throughout our life. Curiosity will elevate our desire to learn. Be passionately curious to know the world better. 
- The reader is a freelance writer based in Abu Dhabi.