This probably seems like an odd hope to most of you. Who hopes to be good at crossword puzzles when they're old? Why not something more exciting or ambitious? Well, I do think this is an ambitious desire. In fact, I think it is possibly the most exciting and ambitious goal one can set.
I'm not sure many people my age have done crossword puzzles from the Sunday newspaper with their dad when they were little. So, for those of you who can't relate...what's a crossword puzzle? They are posted in increasing difficulty from Monday to Sunday, making Sunday puzzles the hardest, and their themes cross all genres. In short, you have to be really smart to be good at crossword puzzles. I'm not talking college-graduate smart, I'm talking about a well-rounded knowledge of life and the world.
In order to succeed at crossword puzzles, without using Google, one needs to be well educated on cultural, religious, political, theatric, cinematic, literary, scientific, musical, and historical happenings. If that sentence overwhelmed you, good--that's the point. That is why I find this goal so ambitious. It requires one to be conscious and in touch with the world around them. It challenges one to reflect on the past, reflect on biological and moral evolutions.
It requires one to be well read, not only in classic literature but in literary movements across the centuries; in literary geniuses and award-winning novels; in mythology and fantasy genres alike; in philosophical and dystopian works; in graphic novels and poetry. It encourages interaction with similar pieces of cinematic and theatric work as well. It makes one pay attention to various religious and political debates. It develops knowledge of different creatures, real and fictional. It reveals the greatness that can be found in music, both old and new releases. It requires attention to different riots and protests that have impacted society and made headlines. It encourages one to travel and expand their exposure to diverse cultures and individuals.
I want to possess just a drop of that kind of genius. I want to understand the world around me, to experience it, to take it all in a new every day. I want to be well-traveled, well-read. I want to embrace cultural diversity and become (somewhat) politically savvy. I want to grow as an individual and become more understanding. I want to be actively engaged in life, and I want to remember my experiences and the experiences of others. I want my eyes opened to all the wonders of God's good creation that exist within humanities reach. I want to be good at crossword puzzles.
