All the time, I love to explore new places and do new things. Travel has always been an interest
but as I get older I love to learn more about culture and history.
I have benefited every time one of those big questions shows up unannounced and refuses to go away until it is explored thoroughly – usually with an open curiosity.
Curiosity led me here as something deep inside me knew the phenomenal world does not provide lasting happiness and freedom. As they say, “you need to go in in order to go out!”
Oh, when haven’t I? I get to learn new things about people and the world around me every time I follow my curiosity. I have a good memory for those tidbits and used to be the person my whole family most *didn’t* want to play Trivial Pursuit with. (I haven’t kept up with pop culture for a long time so my prowess now would depend entirely on which version we played.)
There is one way I don’t necessarily benefit, though, and that’s if I don’t watch the time consumed by following link after link down the internet rabbit hole. Yes, I can learn a lot doing that, but I can also spend half a Saturday reading when I meant to do other things.
Someone I knew and respected suggested I participate in the degree program at the seminary. It took quite some time to complete the program along with everything else going on in my life. As it turned out, my younger daughter was scheduled to celebrate completion of her master’s degree on the same day my commencement was scheduled. I chose to fly across the country for her celebration. It was great fun to do this together.
I think it is about education for me. It is books, talking to new people, taking classes at night for eleven years while working to get my accounting degree, and taking some adult classes in retirement. Also. it is the “science projects” that I mentioned in the Gratitude Lounge.
I am a curious person by nature. I’m not sure about a direct benefit, but I will say that, being curious means I’m rarely bored. It also means that I can have a conversation with almost anyone.
I love the idea that curiosity can facilitate conversation, particularly with strangers. It reminds me too that curiosity-driven conversation focuses on the ‘other’, rather than on self-interest, and is most generous when the curiosity about others is cashed out in questions of “who they are” rather than the tired “and what do you do.”
There was a group of side by side ranch homes in a senior complex. This is where we now live. A good choice for us. My curiosity of how to present a reading skill to students has lead me to many students succeeding in reading.
I’ve benefited nearly every time I’ve read a biography. What did it feel like to command armies? Cross an ocean alone? Devote a lifetime to a cause? Stare down a life threatening disease? Survive in horrible circumstances?
I marvel at the resilience and power of the human spirit.
Curious (pun intended!), in your readings or observations in life, do you find the more heart connected someone is the more resilience they are able to bring to life or vise vera?
That is an excellent question, John T. Not sure about heart-centered as most biographies or memoirs I’ve read aren’t written with that sort of point of view. What I have noticed is that many accomplished people refuse to let circumstances define them. They also don’t seem weighed down with regrets over past mistakes. Or they don’t let those regrets prevent them from moving forward.
Years ago I switched up making my pumpkin pie crust – instead of tradition graham cracker I tried the chocolate Oreo one, keeper!! soo so much better:)
I am a generally curious fellow all the time. So much so my daughter, now 32, told me out of the blue one day that I was just like a magpie……always picking up and investigating anything shiny. My curiosity and love of the mountains led me to become a nomad herding a band of sheep in the mountains of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado in summer and in the lower valleys in winter for three years. Much like Kevin’s reflection. this in turn was how I met a young lady who 5 years later married me. We have been married 34 years and now have our own beautiful small forage farm.
I was interested in farm animals and farm machinery, so at age 13 I started hanging around a nearby farm. A year later the farmer offered me a job. I was curious to learn all I could about agriculture and animal science, so off to agricultural high school I went. I continued working on that farm and over time developed a crush on the farmers daughter, and then asked her to go out with me. Nine years later, following college, and now farming full time, I asked the same farmer’s daughter for her hand in marriage. She said yes. And fifty one years later we’re still saying “yes” to one another.
I’m not sure if curiosity was the trigger, but I followed my heart and decided to meditate. Everyone benefits from the practice of meditation. I have become less fearful of emotions and I am able to sit with many things that I thought were unbearable before. The powerful practice of this meditation practice is truly a blessing. I’m so grateful every moment for being able to use the method to guid me. Uncovering the universe inside me is the most important. It’s why we were born and it is why we are here. So grateful! Thank you .
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All the time, I love to explore new places and do new things. Travel has always been an interest
but as I get older I love to learn more about culture and history.
I have benefited every time one of those big questions shows up unannounced and refuses to go away until it is explored thoroughly – usually with an open curiosity.
Curiosity led me here as something deep inside me knew the phenomenal world does not provide lasting happiness and freedom. As they say, “you need to go in in order to go out!”
Oh, when haven’t I? I get to learn new things about people and the world around me every time I follow my curiosity. I have a good memory for those tidbits and used to be the person my whole family most *didn’t* want to play Trivial Pursuit with. (I haven’t kept up with pop culture for a long time so my prowess now would depend entirely on which version we played.)
There is one way I don’t necessarily benefit, though, and that’s if I don’t watch the time consumed by following link after link down the internet rabbit hole. Yes, I can learn a lot doing that, but I can also spend half a Saturday reading when I meant to do other things.
Someone I knew and respected suggested I participate in the degree program at the seminary. It took quite some time to complete the program along with everything else going on in my life. As it turned out, my younger daughter was scheduled to celebrate completion of her master’s degree on the same day my commencement was scheduled. I chose to fly across the country for her celebration. It was great fun to do this together.
I think it is about education for me. It is books, talking to new people, taking classes at night for eleven years while working to get my accounting degree, and taking some adult classes in retirement. Also. it is the “science projects” that I mentioned in the Gratitude Lounge.
Curiosity about people leads to conversation which leads to connection — always an enriching benefit.
I am a curious person by nature. I’m not sure about a direct benefit, but I will say that, being curious means I’m rarely bored. It also means that I can have a conversation with almost anyone.
I love the idea that curiosity can facilitate conversation, particularly with strangers. It reminds me too that curiosity-driven conversation focuses on the ‘other’, rather than on self-interest, and is most generous when the curiosity about others is cashed out in questions of “who they are” rather than the tired “and what do you do.”
Yes, I like those conversations with strangers too. Soon strangers are friends like on this site.
There was a group of side by side ranch homes in a senior complex. This is where we now live. A good choice for us. My curiosity of how to present a reading skill to students has lead me to many students succeeding in reading.
Yram, such an important skill to teach. If one can read, s/he can learn about anything and everything.
That is wonderful Yram. Just think of the adventures and information they have discovered.
I’ve benefited nearly every time I’ve read a biography. What did it feel like to command armies? Cross an ocean alone? Devote a lifetime to a cause? Stare down a life threatening disease? Survive in horrible circumstances?
I marvel at the resilience and power of the human spirit.
Curious (pun intended!), in your readings or observations in life, do you find the more heart connected someone is the more resilience they are able to bring to life or vise vera?
That is an excellent question, John T. Not sure about heart-centered as most biographies or memoirs I’ve read aren’t written with that sort of point of view. What I have noticed is that many accomplished people refuse to let circumstances define them. They also don’t seem weighed down with regrets over past mistakes. Or they don’t let those regrets prevent them from moving forward.
What are some of your favorites?
One of the best biographies I’ve read most recently is “Grant” by Ron Chernow.
Thanks for the question, Rabbit. I hope the surgery goes well.
Years ago I switched up making my pumpkin pie crust – instead of tradition graham cracker I tried the chocolate Oreo one, keeper!! soo so much better:)
I do a pie crust using olive oil. It seems so much healthier.
Following my curiosity always takes me on adventures that benefit my heart and soul.
I am a generally curious fellow all the time. So much so my daughter, now 32, told me out of the blue one day that I was just like a magpie……always picking up and investigating anything shiny. My curiosity and love of the mountains led me to become a nomad herding a band of sheep in the mountains of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado in summer and in the lower valleys in winter for three years. Much like Kevin’s reflection. this in turn was how I met a young lady who 5 years later married me. We have been married 34 years and now have our own beautiful small forage farm.
I was interested in farm animals and farm machinery, so at age 13 I started hanging around a nearby farm. A year later the farmer offered me a job. I was curious to learn all I could about agriculture and animal science, so off to agricultural high school I went. I continued working on that farm and over time developed a crush on the farmers daughter, and then asked her to go out with me. Nine years later, following college, and now farming full time, I asked the same farmer’s daughter for her hand in marriage. She said yes. And fifty one years later we’re still saying “yes” to one another.
Perfect! 💕
I’m not sure if curiosity was the trigger, but I followed my heart and decided to meditate. Everyone benefits from the practice of meditation. I have become less fearful of emotions and I am able to sit with many things that I thought were unbearable before. The powerful practice of this meditation practice is truly a blessing. I’m so grateful every moment for being able to use the method to guid me. Uncovering the universe inside me is the most important. It’s why we were born and it is why we are here. So grateful! Thank you .
Antoinette, Beautifully said. “Uncovering the universe inside me is the most important. It’s why we were born and it is why we are here.”