Neues Museum - Staatliches Museum für Kunst und Design in Nürnberg, Germany. Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash.
Culture is everywhere - from the things that we love to the stories that we tell, they are in every aspect of our lives. The language that we speak holds unique values that we embody. The word "culture" is derived from the Latin word "coulere," meaning to "grow and nurture."
People see things differently in the world. Think about the place you work. That is also considered as culture. In the world of coding, one person may think it is tirelessly boring while the people engaged in the subject are passionate about solving problems and understanding the world of technology. What's most captivating about the concept of culture is that culture is something learnt from one's environment and family rather than being something that is passed down through the genes. Watching how adults teach children is one example of how culture is distributed. One child may say "Mother" while other children learn "Mommy" or "Mama." People create culture rather than getting influenced by it. In arguments that two people may have, they are trying to get on the common ground and filtering out the context where it is more clearer to them.
Person viewing Lake Livingston State Park, Livingston, United States. Photo by Berkeli Alashov on Unsplash.
Like a river, culture is always changing. There are no strict rules to how one ought to be. Through being shaped in traditions and beliefs, people also create the traditions and beliefs themselves in reflection to their lifestyle and environment. At the same time, people are still grasping to the past as it holds a strong importance to their hearts. Monuments, letters, nature - these resonate the preservation of the past and help us move forward with a fascinating future.
When you sit on the bench one day and observe your surroundings, what do you see? Are the people in front of you the same as you? Culture shapes how people socialize with others and understand how the world works. Be open to exploring new things as culture flourishes right on your doorstep.
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