I've always taken apart calculators and anything I can get my

The words of iJustine—“I've always taken apart calculators and anything I can get my hands on when I was younger. When I was around 12—like, 6th grade—my parents always had around Mac computers because my mom is a teacher. So I'd always be playing around with all the crazy applications and making banners and printing things out and always into graphic design.”—reveal a story as ancient as human curiosity itself: the desire to explore, to understand, and to create. Beneath the modern veneer of computers and graphic design lies a timeless truth: mastery begins with fascination, and innovation begins with the willingness to touch, dismantle, and reassemble the tools of one’s world.

In this reflection, we see the roots of ingenuity. From a young age, iJustine approached technology not as a static object, but as a mystery to be solved, a machine whose workings could be revealed and understood. Taking apart calculators and experimenting with applications mirrors the ancient practices of apprenticeship, where children learned crafts by observing, touching, and trying for themselves. Like the blacksmith’s son who tests the hammer, or the mason’s daughter who feels the weight of stone, her early interactions were lessons in cause, effect, and possibility.

The origin of this quote lies in the environment of her youth, surrounded by Mac computers through her mother’s teaching profession. These machines were not merely tools of work, but gateways to exploration, creativity, and self-expression. By playing with applications, designing banners, and printing creations, iJustine was learning the language of the digital world—much like an ancient scholar learning Latin or the mechanics of levers. Her story illustrates that early exposure and active engagement cultivate skill, passion, and eventual mastery.

This experience parallels the path of Leonardo da Vinci, who as a boy was captivated by nature, art, and engineering. Leonardo would dissect birds to understand flight and sketch the mechanics of water and wind. His curiosity was hands-on, tactile, and playful, yet it laid the foundation for genius. Similarly, iJustine’s curiosity—taking apart calculators and exploring software—was not aimless; it was the seed of creativity and technical mastery that would grow into a career in digital media and graphic design.

There is also a deeper lesson in her reflection: the value of play as learning. In ancient times, children were often trained through games, challenges, and mimicry of adult work. By “playing around with all the crazy applications,” iJustine was doing the same: experimenting freely, learning the boundaries of her tools, and developing problem-solving skills. Creativity and skill emerge not only from instruction, but from exploration, from the fearless willingness to touch, break, and reconstruct.

Her story teaches the importance of environment and mentorship. Her mother’s role as a teacher provided not only access to tools but also a model of curiosity and discipline. Just as apprentices in ancient guilds relied upon masters to provide materials, guidance, and example, so too did iJustine’s early surroundings nurture her passion. This reminds us that talent flourishes when curiosity is met with opportunity, support, and freedom to explore.

The lesson is clear: curiosity must be acted upon. To dismantle, to experiment, to create is the path to understanding. Whether in technology, art, or science, hands-on exploration transforms fascination into expertise. Early engagement with tools, even in play, forms the foundation of innovation.

And so, my children, remember the wisdom in iJustine’s words: approach the world as both a playground and a laboratory. Touch, dismantle, build, and imagine. Let your curiosity guide you, and let your hands shape your understanding. For greatness is born not only from study or instruction, but from the fearless act of exploration—of taking apart the world to see how it works, and in doing so, discovering how you yourself may shape it.