“I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.” Eleanor Roosevelt

On an individual level, curiosity drives personal growth and learning. It encourages us to explore new hobbies, dive into unfamiliar subjects, and expand our horizons. Whether it's picking up a musical instrument, learning a new language, or delving into a scientific field, curiosity enriches our lives and broadens our perspectives. Seth Goldenberg advises us to take a moment to decelerate for the sake of acceleration. In today's fast-paced world, we are constantly pushed to act, find solutions, achieve victories, and hastily make decisions in pursuit of speed, often sacrificing quality. However, this fixation on speed usually leads us to address incorrect inquiries. While it may appear beneficial in the short run, it ultimately exacts a higher toll in the long term. To attain enduring solutions, it is essential to invest our time upfront by deliberately slowing down and formulating the appropriate questions. This deliberate pace will guide us towards resilient and effective outcomes.
He continues, “Curiosity calls upon all of our senses. It demands of us to be resensitized rather than desensitized. Our lives are filled with transactions. It’s difficult to not simply check out and go through the motions. But amid the noise are meaningful signals that we can reattune to. When we are young, we persist in a state of perpetual awe. Every new encounter exceeds our expectations, simply because we have nothing to compare it to. We’ve become desensitized to the power and potential of visual culture. We are constantly recording, sharing, and resharing, yet rarely reflecting. To truly experience the visual world requires us to go beyond brain processes and allow our hearts to make meaning of what we see.” On my solo walks, I used to always listen to music. When I walk with my husband, we engage in conversation, but I can hear the rest of the world, too. I was always hearing different bird songs and seeing different birds. I was curious about them. What were they called? Were they migratory? What do they eat? How could I draw them closer to my yard? I found a great app called Merlin Bird ID. I now sit out in the early morning on the deck and let it identify all of the birds around me. When I visited Germany last, I discovered a whole new world of birds. I am now curious about the plants around me, so I found the Picture This app. All you have to do is upload a picture of the plant you are looking at and it identifies it and tells you all about it. I have lots of books that I use to identify insects, but I have yet to find an app for this. What are you curious about?
Certain psychologists argue that humans tend to be cognitive misers, favoring the comfort of clinging to familiar perspectives rather than grappling with new ones. However, there are profound reasons underlying our resistance to reconsidering our beliefs. Engaging in self-questioning introduces unpredictability into our world. It necessitates acknowledging that the facts may have evolved, that what we once considered correct may now be erroneous. Reevaluating deeply held convictions can jeopardize our sense of identity, evoking the sensation of losing a core part of ourselves explains Adam Grant. Studies indicate that when individuals exhibit resistance towards change, it can be beneficial to emphasize the aspects that will remain unchanged. Change initiatives are more persuasive and captivating when they incorporate elements of continuity. While our approach may undergo modifications, our core identity will remain steadfast.
Actively engage in lifelong learning. Read books, take courses, listen to podcasts, or watch documentaries on topics that interest you. Cultivate a hunger for knowledge and explore various subjects beyond your areas of expertise. Continuous learning fuels curiosity and opens new avenues of understanding. Be curious about yourself. Ask yourself what your body needs at any given moment. Allow for what it needs. You are not supposed to be tired, exhausted, and sore all the time.
Exercise: Practice "curiosity in nature." Spend time outdoors, whether in a park, garden, or wilderness area. Observe the natural world around you with a curious lens, noticing the intricate details, patterns, and interactions. Consider the questions and wonders that arise during your observation.
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