Podcasts and Musings

 

Curiosity

April 2010

Curiosity…"n. A strong desire to know or learn something"

There is an old expression I never quite understood. "Curiosity killed the cat". Some suggested it was designed to teach us not to be nosy. In my opinion the obvious intent was to discourage us from trying new things or asking too many questions. In fact, I remember as a child hearing that exact phrase! "Quit asking so many questions!"

Over the years, my thirst for understanding actually increased. At times my desire to know or understand could be insatiable. I would devour books and newspapers. I had more magazines than I could stack on my coffee table. But I received a wonderful gift in my child hood. My eighth grade teacher, Sister Marla told me to never stop asking "Why". She said my desire to understand was a great quality of mine. That reinforcement and clear sign of support built my confidence to stay curious and to continue to seek.

Continuous learning, unlearning, staying open to change, new information, and new ways of viewing things has become part of my every day mantra. Capturing the thoughts and feelings of others without judgment or preconceived notions has become a marvelous communication tool. It beckons a quote from S. Covey. “To seek truly to understand before being understood.”

When was the last time you sought to understand or learn something new and not judge? Were you fully present with the intention to simply understand and acknowledge their thoughts and feelings? The greatest gift we can give one another is the gift of undivided attention. Approaching another with the eyes of a child in wonderment or openness and exploring an idea that we hadn't really considered sounds simple but it isn’t. It requires practice, focus, practice, focus…did I say practice and focus????


It is from this space of curiosity that intimacy, trust, and learning can appear and grow that we begin to understand. We accept differences. We agree to disagree. It is only after thoughtful inquiry and empathetic listening that we are able to reap the extraordinary benefits and it is powerful.


I would like to challenge you. How curious are You?