Following Curiosity: What Lizards Teach Us About Freedom
How one moment of wonder turned into a powerful discussion about purpose, risk, and meaning.
Last week, our guides had a perfectly good launch planned about a hero. But the night before, something remarkable happened… well, not remarkable by Ascent standards, but wonderfully ordinary in a place that’s always alive with wonder and discovery. Ms. Samantha Jordan noticed the learners’ growing fascination with the lizards that roam our campus- and there have been A LOT of them this year! Instead of sticking to the script, she followed that spark of curiosity, crafting an entirely new discussion just hours before the day began.
That’s the art of guiding: watching from a distance to see what lights a fire, seeing the spark in each child, and being curious enough to follow it.
The Launch
The discussion began simply:
“Imagine you are a lizard.”
From there, the learners explored what it might mean to live wild and free versus safe and contained. A wild lizard hunts for food, faces predators, and navigates the unknown. A pet lizard, meanwhile, has a steady meal and a safe home… but less adventure.
Which is better? Safety & comfort, or risk & growth?
As the conversation deepened, the question turned back toward each learner’s own journey and our Question of the Year:
“Now, you are a hero, like a lizard choosing your life. When are you truly free?”
Some learners argued that freedom comes through safety- the chance to make choices without fear. Others believed that freedom requires danger and discomfort. The real magic, though, wasn’t in the answers. It was in the way the learners wrestled with the question, listening to one another, shifting perspectives, and finding meaning in a conversation that began with lizards on the playground.
Why It Matters
At Ascent, we believe in the power that lies in the curiosity of each individual. And we have cultivated an environment where that power is harnessed. Some of the best ideas often begin with something small and seemingly ordinary. The learners at Ascent are discovering meaning in their lives and the world around them. When a learner wonders aloud, “What kind of lizard is that?” one small moment of curiosity turns into a chance to wonder, connect, and grow.
And when curiosity meets purpose, learning becomes irresistible.
Audio Addendum
Listen below for more thoughts on the ‘Lizard Launch’!