Confusion.

It is a problem. It is a solution. Confusion may be a term synonymous with cacophony or chaos, but in reality is a concept for creativity. I have a love/hate relationship with confusion. The science world has grown and developed through the initial confusion that faces all scientists. If the answer is obvious or has already been established, then there are no questions. It is the questions that create the need and the need creates the research and the research seeks to solve the problem and the answer provides the solution thus concluding the question. Confusion leads to solution. K.C. Cole says “In science, feeling confused is essential to progress. An unwillingness to feel lost, in fact, can stop creativity dead in its tracks. A mathematician once told me he thought this was the reason young mathematicians make the big discoveries.”

I thrive on confusion for it causes me to seek the answers—it leads to results and solution of the problem for it is the journey to the answer where growth occurs. Confusion provides the impetus for the learning and although learning is unending, it does have many levels of answers. Of course answers often lead to more questions but that is a topic for Emmanuel Kant, not me!

In a study or analysis of a Brahms symphony (as an aside, I would urge you to pick one of the four Brahms symphonies, and bathe in its musical beauty), it is discovered that Brahms kept a tight rein on his thematic material within each movement and did not venture out of the established language for the movement. Yet as that discovery is made, more mysteries abound. Such as how and why he altered his rhythm, his transitions, and his harmony. The more we learn, the less we know. This is true for much of the world.

So I embrace confusion at the same time I seek to eradicate it. The more it disappears, the more it shows up. Do we fear confusion? Has this caused a contentment and acceptance of all we see and do? The pursuit of happiness is our right and finding happiness is a worthwhile goal—no doubt about that. But happiness is in the heart and not antithetical to confusion. Since confusion leads to knowledge and knowledge leads to happiness, happiness and confusion must be closely linked. Love itself is a confusing emotion, but certainly a happy one. Raising children is confusing but also is joyful.

Many things, perhaps all things are confusing and can be frightening. But fear is a temporary emotion and can be and should be a learning experience. Fear like love causes physiological change which in turn results in confusion, adrenalin, joy, and action. The action is the attempt to find an answer and the answer is born out of a problem while the problem is presented from the confusion.

So as the scientist loves confusion, so must we. For to love confusion is to learn and learning is something we all must do as we pursue happiness. Today I smile at my confusion and hope to grow from it. Tomorrow I may hate confusion but I know that it makes me a better person. Love it, hate it, embrace it or reject it, but grow from it for it is here to stay.