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Writer's pictureMel Bridges

Why History? Uncovering the Importance of Studying History (Part 1)

Updated: Jun 30

Preliminaries


Students watching teacher lecture

The #1 complaint about history, at least from my school days, is that “it’s Boring,” with a capital B.  Well, that’s because life can be boring. Real life usually is not a fast car chase or the heroic experiences of a superhero or superheroine.


Sometimes life can be exciting and that is what you wish to read about, right? Skip the boring parts. I guess that is called “news.”


Everything though, including events, trends, individuals (and that includes YOU), artifacts, and construction, eventually becomes part of history. You may not like it, but everything with a past becomes whatever part of history to which the object belongs.



Individual lives can be interesting, especially when intersecting with broader historical events. You often hear old-timers like myself reflect, “I remember what I was doing when our cat passed away,” or “I remember what I was doing when 9/11 occurred,” or even “I remember what I was doing when I saw images of the attacks in Israel.”


If you prefer to avoid the discomfort of delving into the past, that's understandable. Distractions can be an excellent way to spend time and offer great entertainment. We all need such diversions. Hey, I'm not judging. You have the right to use your time as you wish.  We are supposed to live in the present and not dwell in the past. (You got me there.)


To feel safer and not be swept away by surprise, study some history on events that affect you
Noak's ark in the midst of flood waters

However, when the flood comes (that is, any significant event that has been forewarned, particularly if you reside in a more democratic country where a wide array of media sources can be found), don’t complain. Pray that you can swim and survive. (I give thee drama.)


If you have done some research and read up on the history of the flood, maybe you are an ark dweller. I hope I am doing what it takes to be on the ark.



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