I am sure I was a born curious seeker. Maybe you, too , as a child were curious about the world around you. I always wanted the answer to “Why?” . It may have begun when my Mom would tell me to do or usually not to do something. I am sure my repeated and constant “Why” was not in her mind an aspect of my thirst for living a creative life. Her answer which never satisfied me and to this day never satisfies me about anyone or any situation was “Because I said so.”
I observe many people who have lost their sense of curiosity. Of course I am curious about even that! In my observations those who stopped being curious have settled to live their lives with assumptions about each other, even themselves, and the world about them. Not only do many choose to make assumptions, but they view the world as either “ black or white”. I don’t know about you, but that sort of thinking seems quite boring. I even view it as people who are sleep-walking through life, oblivious to a colorful inquisitive wonder that I have not stopped nurturing since childhood! You may wonder why being curious is crucial. Studies have shown evidence being curious opens one’s mind to new possibilities and new ways of looking at old perceptions of all kinds of things. Looking underneath the surface of face value aspects allows and inspires one to think outside of the box! Being curious opens doors of the discovery of innovative ideas that being stuck in the old familiar routines just does not occur even to very intelligent people! People who have put curiosity on hold, in my opinion, think they know everything and their ego proves it ( especially to themselves!). They need to feel right and feel uncomfortable when shown their way and beliefs are incorrect and challenged. Knowing one does not understand or know can bring up feelings of insecurity and vulnerability within.
Cultivating and embracing curiosity that has been put on hold has the potential to open our eyes to new freedom, joyful giddiness, and allows us to try new things even if we are not successful that we would not have tried previously. Once we start being curious our brain wants to do it more in all types of settings ;and , new neural pathways are created within each hemisphere of our brain!
Some ideas for you to jumpstart cultivating curiosity
- Ask why, how, what,when questions of yourself, of the world, of your friends, of your partner. Asking questions breaks down the need to assume anything.
- Become a conscious listener without one thought of how you will respond. Remember maintaining the curious mode is not about what you know and want to show to another. It is about learning new ideas, new opinions, new perspectives. Train yourself to listen longer.
- Unplug from your phone. Look at nature. Walk through your local community or when traveling observe what you see. Observing opens a channel of being curious and awakens thoughts to expand upon.
- Surrender the need to be right and the need to show off to others what you think you know. By being curious you just might be surprised at new things you might learn and consider.
- In conversations act like a journalist. Go past the answer and choose understanding over knowing. Ask who did that, what does it mean to your communicative partner, when did it occur, why did it take place, etc.
- Go on adventures and do things and go places you have never done or been. Step out of your comfort zone.
Cultivating Curiosity can offer an enriching, happier life which will foster creativity, increase problem solving in all areas of our lives, and create more meaningful relationships with others. Amazing possibilities await as Curiosity becomes our SuperPower!
“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.” -Albert Einstein
Jaguarwind 