We think of curiosity as something that is innate and inherent in each person, but it is also something that can be developed. If we nurture it, we can use our curiosity to help us get through the mundane and dreary nature of day to day tasks.
But where do we start? The development of curiosity starts with want to learn. Let yourself open up to the possible. Don’t over plan your very existence. Opening yourself up to the possible leads to questions. One question will lead to another and there you have it! There is always something new to learn.
According to Seth Godin, curiosity finds knowledge and the conscious asks if knowing is worth the risk. Some resist curiosity because of this risk, and it is true, we have been encouraged since we were children not to ask too many questions.
It only takes a few times of being rebuffed for a child to lose the fearlessness that is necessary to risk taking. Education doesn’t want to quell discovery. Now we want conformity. This leads to a fear of questions. We don’t want to be perceived as ignorant. We don’t want to be embarrassed for speaking out. You want to blend in and don’t want to draw attention to yourself. You are used to blindly believing.
Children have a natural curiosity. Unfortunately, adults quash this either willingly or unknowingly. Children watch how adults behave. If they see a lack of curiosity they can’t develop in a productive direction.
Questioning not only leads to truth but also to a better understanding . Questions bring about change. This is seen in editorials and in news articles everywhere.
Questioning will lead you to new knowledge and risk taking. You will evolve and visualize a new life. Innovators such as writers, explorers and artists ask questions. The only way a culture can survive and move forward is to ask questions and move boundaries. Questions have led to new answers and new ways of thinking.
Curiosity is its own reward. Giving yourself permission to take the risk helps give you a better sense of worth and self esteem. The bonus is that you will have fun on your journey.