I don´t know, but i will try to transform my fear of being in groups of people unknown to me and just booked two joyful events in nature with music, dancing, relaxing and lots of people to possibly share where i hopefully will be more able to get in contact than i was able some years ago, where my fear was predominating all. At the second event there will be at least some people i know besides lots of unknown to me, while in the same time, the theme will possibly connect us even more, sharing in one spirit. Sp exciting! already looking forward to these opportunities.
My curiosity
has gotten me into a lot of trouble . . .
I found out a lot of things
I had no business knowing,
I learned how to do things
I had no business doing,
and felt things
I had no business feeling . . .
and was stung countless times.
Now
I keep my curious little fingers
out of the bees’ nests,
and away from the candy jar,
and fulfill my curiosity
by learning things
that help me stretch and grow.
I like it this way. ♥
When I learned to surf while in my early 20s. I grew up in Charleston and was always a water lover (I am, after all, a Scorpio), but even though my dad surfed when I was a kid, he never put me on a surfboard… although he was stoked when I told him I was learning the sport. I moved to the beach when I was in college and remember watching some of my male friends surfing. It looked so fun, and I just had to try it. I fell in love immediately! I benefited from surfing in multiple ways – it’s great exercise and I found muscles I was never really aware of; I learned all kinds of things about the physics of the ocean; I found peace just sitting on my board in the ocean – a peace that was deeply needed over the many years spent out there; I met a ton of people and became part of the community; I went to yoga to help me be a better surfer, which led to my love and studies of yoga; I volunteered with local surf contests and later ended up running an all-girl contest on Folly Beach. I learned so much running that event, helped turn it into a non-profit, met surfers from all over the east coast, and gained confidence in my leadership abilities. Who’d have thunk it?
It’s usually been something else I followed when I went beyond my comfort zone, such as ambition and passion for the mission that led me to take the leap, leave a secure job of nearly 15 years, and move across the state to become a nonprofit executive director back in 2012. That led to where I am now, with yet another job in another city and very happy.
The thing that comes to mind as arising from curiosity is signing up for various classes through our Parks & Rec department in the town we moved to 4-1/2 years ago. It was partly curiosity about the various topics and being willing to try things I didn’t think I’d be very good at. I’ve learned a variety of things, from how trees communicate and send electrical signals to how to do some fun things with a hula hoop. I learned I don’t need to take any more classes in modern dance; it isn’t good for my vertigo. It also arose from the desire to connect with people, maybe make some new friends in a new place.
The biggest reward/benefit has come from taking improv classes, which I’ve mentioned before. Improv is incredibly freeing and gets me beyond my everyday emotional setting, which is very even-keeled, no huge ups or downs most of the time. I have to lean into big, bold emotions to create energy in a skit. I get to be silly, goofy, wild, childlike. This has led to new friends and joining an improv troupe that’s forming out of people who met through the class and our teacher, with our first performance a month from now. It’s a whole new side of me I get to explore and it’s a ton of fun. Curious to find out what happens next!
I love an adventure. Whether it’s taking a trip out to the desert or the wooded wilderness, riding my bike somewhere new, or exploring a new restaurant, or meeting new people, I almost always come back feeling more fulfilled.
Now, I must say, that when departing on a trip or going out to a strange place or meeting new people, I almost always have a last minute moment of hesitation. Of anxiety or fear. A queasy feeling.
But it’s usually too late to turn back. Forward is the only way. I must say that, I live for the new and unknown, and I fear it. Both at same time. It’s something that I’m trying to learn to live with.
I don’t know if I would say I benefited from my curiosity but there have been several of what I call ” blinding glimpses of the obvious” that propelled me beyond my comfort zone and often resulted in periods of massive growth in self awareness. That said, my “psychological fear of failure” could and did literally paralyze me many times in my life. I say “psychological fear” because it was seldom an instance when I faced “real danger” that could cause harm that paralyzed me but my fear of failure often kept me from making a commitment that would have most likely been very life-giving. All of that said, I am so thankful for all of the times I was “shaking in my boots” and still proceeded beyond my comfort zone. Those times have afforded me lots of wonderful-life-giving memories.
After replying to Michele, something came out. I started getting into the NFL back in 2021. Roughness and playing in the cold and snow makes the sport fun. Football is the most popular sport in the US. I benefitted by having more activities and building connections.
Last Aug, when I met my mom for the first time, she arrived to live in CA with my sister. I’m in MN and am visually impaired. I had a great desire to take my mom around CA for fun, but CA is not my local area, so I know nothing about where to go. Following just Google Maps and another app that helps blind and low vision people navigate, I took my mom to shop and had some boba tea in nearby my sister’s house. I’m glad that I did it. Thank God that we had a lot of fun, and my mom was brave enough to go with me. 😀
I generally benefit from following my curiosity to attend new events or meet new groups of people. Even if those events/groups don’t work out–and sometimes they don’t–I will have benefitted from knowing what works and doesn’t. The mastery lies in not sticking with something or a group that doesn’t work, and getting out of a declining situation. I’ve stuck with things too long in the past. My curiosity led me there, but something else–some misplaced commitment or sense of loyalty–kept me stuck. So, following curiosity is generally beneficial, but it has to come with trusting my instincts to turn around or quit when a situation or group isn’t working out.
Such an important point, Drea, that curiosity leads us to places we don’t have to stay in if it doesn’t work for us. I have that same “over-commitment” bone at times. It was harder for me in the past, until I arrived at the realization that if something happened only because I gave my time and energy to organizing it, maybe it only really mattered to me anyway and I could set it down. If it mattered to others they could pick it up.
January 1979 moving to the San Luis Valley, Conejos County CO from Humboldt County CA in the redwoods. Been here since. I am grateful. May all encounter some peace and love on this gift of a new day.
I took Cheryl and the children during the drought of 2000. Drove to Salt Lake and then through Idaho and central Oregon. Hit the ocean and spent the first night by the coast at Coos Bay, Oregon. We stayed in a redwood grove in Trinidad. I would like to go to the Pacific Northwest again.
There were many times I stretched myself and was grateful for the outcome. I was in my 20s in the 90s, and my yoga teacher was leaving the country. I was among his most dedicated students—there wasn’t a lot of yoga in Atlanta at the time— and he asked me to cover his classes. Just like that, I learned a simple sequence for his students. Now, 30 years and over 30,000 hours later, I am still teaching, and I have journeyed into Qi Gong over the last year—old dogs can learn new tricks. Another time I trusted the flow was quitting a job of over a decade; shortly after being divorced and being a newly single mom. I started a mindfulness education program, which was pretty successful. But the best part was that it gave me the clinical experience I needed for my current role—my dream job. It was scary to be a contractor and not to have a salary. I had to buy my family insurance on the marketplace; I had no paid time off. But I was trapped and trusted. Every day is a leap of faith—we don’t “know” what will happen next. Sometimes, the tenuous nature of things is more obvious.
Your opportunities,
dear Avril,
turned out to be gifts . . .
doesn’t it amaze you
when you look back
and remember the trepidation you felt
before you took the leap?
It’s all a miracle . . . ♥
Yes, dear Avril, Self-employment certainly has its pluses and minuses. I always have to just close my eyes and go when it is time to leave the place for a trip. Unbeknownst to me, that was one of my first lessons in letting go.
Today! I finally let go of a huge burden I have been holding onto and I kept thinking it was something that I had to Kepp! What a gift letting go has been! Trust the universe and blessings are everywhere! Thank you so much and I love you too. 💯🙌🌱 Follow natures flow and keep letting go!
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I don´t know, but i will try to transform my fear of being in groups of people unknown to me and just booked two joyful events in nature with music, dancing, relaxing and lots of people to possibly share where i hopefully will be more able to get in contact than i was able some years ago, where my fear was predominating all. At the second event there will be at least some people i know besides lots of unknown to me, while in the same time, the theme will possibly connect us even more, sharing in one spirit. Sp exciting! already looking forward to these opportunities.
You
are very brave,
dear Ose . . .
it takes courage to share ourselves . . . ♥
ps. Have fun. 🙂
My curiosity
has gotten me into a lot of trouble . . .
I found out a lot of things
I had no business knowing,
I learned how to do things
I had no business doing,
and felt things
I had no business feeling . . .
and was stung countless times.
Now
I keep my curious little fingers
out of the bees’ nests,
and away from the candy jar,
and fulfill my curiosity
by learning things
that help me stretch and grow.
I like it this way. ♥
Curiosity killed the cat; Satisfaction brought him back.
Once I opened the box I could not shut it for many years dear Sparrow.
Same here,
dear Joseph . . . ♥
When I learned to surf while in my early 20s. I grew up in Charleston and was always a water lover (I am, after all, a Scorpio), but even though my dad surfed when I was a kid, he never put me on a surfboard… although he was stoked when I told him I was learning the sport. I moved to the beach when I was in college and remember watching some of my male friends surfing. It looked so fun, and I just had to try it. I fell in love immediately! I benefited from surfing in multiple ways – it’s great exercise and I found muscles I was never really aware of; I learned all kinds of things about the physics of the ocean; I found peace just sitting on my board in the ocean – a peace that was deeply needed over the many years spent out there; I met a ton of people and became part of the community; I went to yoga to help me be a better surfer, which led to my love and studies of yoga; I volunteered with local surf contests and later ended up running an all-girl contest on Folly Beach. I learned so much running that event, helped turn it into a non-profit, met surfers from all over the east coast, and gained confidence in my leadership abilities. Who’d have thunk it?
It makes me so happy to hear you describing the beauty that surfing has brought to your life, Sunnypatti!
Thanks, Elizabeth! It was a life-changer for sure, and even though I don’t live on the coast anymore, I will forever consider myself a surfer.
Sounds more beneficial than Toastmasters!
I certainly honed my ability to speak in front of large groups, but gained so much in other areas, so you are absolutely right!
It’s usually been something else I followed when I went beyond my comfort zone, such as ambition and passion for the mission that led me to take the leap, leave a secure job of nearly 15 years, and move across the state to become a nonprofit executive director back in 2012. That led to where I am now, with yet another job in another city and very happy.
The thing that comes to mind as arising from curiosity is signing up for various classes through our Parks & Rec department in the town we moved to 4-1/2 years ago. It was partly curiosity about the various topics and being willing to try things I didn’t think I’d be very good at. I’ve learned a variety of things, from how trees communicate and send electrical signals to how to do some fun things with a hula hoop. I learned I don’t need to take any more classes in modern dance; it isn’t good for my vertigo. It also arose from the desire to connect with people, maybe make some new friends in a new place.
The biggest reward/benefit has come from taking improv classes, which I’ve mentioned before. Improv is incredibly freeing and gets me beyond my everyday emotional setting, which is very even-keeled, no huge ups or downs most of the time. I have to lean into big, bold emotions to create energy in a skit. I get to be silly, goofy, wild, childlike. This has led to new friends and joining an improv troupe that’s forming out of people who met through the class and our teacher, with our first performance a month from now. It’s a whole new side of me I get to explore and it’s a ton of fun. Curious to find out what happens next!
I love an adventure. Whether it’s taking a trip out to the desert or the wooded wilderness, riding my bike somewhere new, or exploring a new restaurant, or meeting new people, I almost always come back feeling more fulfilled.
Now, I must say, that when departing on a trip or going out to a strange place or meeting new people, I almost always have a last minute moment of hesitation. Of anxiety or fear. A queasy feeling.
But it’s usually too late to turn back. Forward is the only way. I must say that, I live for the new and unknown, and I fear it. Both at same time. It’s something that I’m trying to learn to live with.
Charlie, I like to take trips away. The only way and can comfortably leave is to close my eyes and go. So far everything has been fine.
I don’t know if I would say I benefited from my curiosity but there have been several of what I call ” blinding glimpses of the obvious” that propelled me beyond my comfort zone and often resulted in periods of massive growth in self awareness. That said, my “psychological fear of failure” could and did literally paralyze me many times in my life. I say “psychological fear” because it was seldom an instance when I faced “real danger” that could cause harm that paralyzed me but my fear of failure often kept me from making a commitment that would have most likely been very life-giving. All of that said, I am so thankful for all of the times I was “shaking in my boots” and still proceeded beyond my comfort zone. Those times have afforded me lots of wonderful-life-giving memories.
After replying to Michele, something came out. I started getting into the NFL back in 2021. Roughness and playing in the cold and snow makes the sport fun. Football is the most popular sport in the US. I benefitted by having more activities and building connections.
Last Aug, when I met my mom for the first time, she arrived to live in CA with my sister. I’m in MN and am visually impaired. I had a great desire to take my mom around CA for fun, but CA is not my local area, so I know nothing about where to go. Following just Google Maps and another app that helps blind and low vision people navigate, I took my mom to shop and had some boba tea in nearby my sister’s house. I’m glad that I did it. Thank God that we had a lot of fun, and my mom was brave enough to go with me. 😀
My Ngoc, I recall you telling me that day was a scortching hot day where you were.
NGOC, How very inspiring you are dear NGOC. So happy for you that you created such a wonderful memory for you and your Mom.
I generally benefit from following my curiosity to attend new events or meet new groups of people. Even if those events/groups don’t work out–and sometimes they don’t–I will have benefitted from knowing what works and doesn’t. The mastery lies in not sticking with something or a group that doesn’t work, and getting out of a declining situation. I’ve stuck with things too long in the past. My curiosity led me there, but something else–some misplaced commitment or sense of loyalty–kept me stuck. So, following curiosity is generally beneficial, but it has to come with trusting my instincts to turn around or quit when a situation or group isn’t working out.
Such an important point, Drea, that curiosity leads us to places we don’t have to stay in if it doesn’t work for us. I have that same “over-commitment” bone at times. It was harder for me in the past, until I arrived at the realization that if something happened only because I gave my time and energy to organizing it, maybe it only really mattered to me anyway and I could set it down. If it mattered to others they could pick it up.
This is a really helpful way to think about things, thanks Barb.
January 1979 moving to the San Luis Valley, Conejos County CO from Humboldt County CA in the redwoods. Been here since. I am grateful. May all encounter some peace and love on this gift of a new day.
I took Cheryl and the children during the drought of 2000. Drove to Salt Lake and then through Idaho and central Oregon. Hit the ocean and spent the first night by the coast at Coos Bay, Oregon. We stayed in a redwood grove in Trinidad. I would like to go to the Pacific Northwest again.
I’ve been to the Redwoods once,
dear Joseph,
and it was such an awesome
(in the truest sense of the word)
experience
I will never forget . . . ♥
Love Humboldt & the Redwoods.✨❤️
There were many times I stretched myself and was grateful for the outcome. I was in my 20s in the 90s, and my yoga teacher was leaving the country. I was among his most dedicated students—there wasn’t a lot of yoga in Atlanta at the time— and he asked me to cover his classes. Just like that, I learned a simple sequence for his students. Now, 30 years and over 30,000 hours later, I am still teaching, and I have journeyed into Qi Gong over the last year—old dogs can learn new tricks. Another time I trusted the flow was quitting a job of over a decade; shortly after being divorced and being a newly single mom. I started a mindfulness education program, which was pretty successful. But the best part was that it gave me the clinical experience I needed for my current role—my dream job. It was scary to be a contractor and not to have a salary. I had to buy my family insurance on the marketplace; I had no paid time off. But I was trapped and trusted. Every day is a leap of faith—we don’t “know” what will happen next. Sometimes, the tenuous nature of things is more obvious.
Avril, You are an inspiration!
I agree!
Your opportunities,
dear Avril,
turned out to be gifts . . .
doesn’t it amaze you
when you look back
and remember the trepidation you felt
before you took the leap?
It’s all a miracle . . . ♥
Yes, dear Avril, Self-employment certainly has its pluses and minuses. I always have to just close my eyes and go when it is time to leave the place for a trip. Unbeknownst to me, that was one of my first lessons in letting go.
I look forward to reading others responses as nothing jumps out at me right now.
My son is moving today so I am definitely curious and excited to see his new apt.
Michele, I resignate with you on the first one as well.
Today! I finally let go of a huge burden I have been holding onto and I kept thinking it was something that I had to Kepp! What a gift letting go has been! Trust the universe and blessings are everywhere! Thank you so much and I love you too. 💯🙌🌱 Follow natures flow and keep letting go!