Monthly Edition: Curiosity

No cats killed, promise.

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“Replace fear of the unknown with curiosity.”

—Billy Cox

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There is a sense of wonder and play in the curious mind. It wants to know how things work, where they come from, why they appear the way they do, and when to engage with them.

Being curious can be a superpower in relationship. It gets us out of our own narrative to understand a different perspective. It listens, not in waiting to make a counterpoint, but to really hear what is being said. It looks, not superficially, but under the surface to see where connections already are and are being made.

Curiosity is a path toward greater knowing and understanding. We miss out on much when we take everything at face value. What richness comes as we dare dig a bit under the surface.

Curiosity about ourselves can lead to greater self-awareness. When we are willing to know what we know and admit what we don’t, we have a starting place from which to move. None of us can clearly see every motivation of our hearts and minds, but we can discover them as we look beyond the behaviors and attitudes to a deeper place.

If we already think we know an answer, we won’t take time to listen or to seek out a different perspective. A little bit of humility can go a long way. The more we endeavor to grow our understanding, the more open we become in this journey.

There are many benefits of turning an interested eye toward ourselves.

In the coming weeks, we will explore how removing judgment, having the posture of a learner, being open, and taking a step back to see the bigger picture can help us in using curiosity as a path toward stronger self-connection.

When we remove the barriers that keep us from being genuinely curious and seek to understand ourselves better, it’s like brightening the lights in a dim room. Everything becomes sharper in our vision, and we can see how the seemingly random pieces actually connect to the bigger picture of our lives.

Curiosity toward ourselves can also bridge the gap between how we operate and who we want to be.

The more curious we are, the more receptive we become.  When we are open to learning, we will not resist what comes our way. Life is full of lessons if we will let them lead us to growth.

The beauty of curiosity is in its simplicity. Follow the inklings, the questions, and dig a bit. Like a child goes about the world with playful curiosity, we can recover that innocent trait in our own hearts and minds. As we learn to look through the lens of wonder, invitation, and interest, we will know ourselves better.

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Does curiosity feel natural or challenging to you?

Why do you think that is?

Consider how you can be more childlike in your approach.