
Whether it's snicker-doodles in the cookie jar or a shameful family secret, the message is stop right there.
Story books about Curious George have been telling kids for 75-years--curiosity will get you in trouble. I'd rather see curiosity as fuel for the creative mind, a pathway to learning, a catalyst for change.
My quest for facts can go too far. It never served me well to grill my kids for information when they came home from school. And my husband’s not too keen on me interrupting him to ask questions.
Curiosity helps improve relationships,
reduce stress
and find more
enjoyment in life
I've had to work at curbing my curiosity to become a better listener, and at the same time, redirecting my inquiries to understand myself better. A subtle probing behind my actions and reactions has turned up a wealth of information about how I tick. Sharpening my curiosity helps me improve relationships, reduce stress and find more enjoyment in life.
I came up with this list of tips from my own practice. In my experience, cultivating a gentle curiosity contributes to better mental health and happiness.
- Be curious when somebody gets under your skin.
- Be curious about your thoughts.
- Be curious about your emotions.
- Be curious about your everyday surroundings.
- Be curious about other people.
Being curious is a requirement for my work as a writer, but we're all born curious, and we can all benefit from making a conscious effort to explore, learn and discover. So please share your tips for expanding curiosity in the comment section. Thanks!