5 Ways To Stay Curious

The important thing is not to stop questioning.

The image was taken by me in China, 2015

Albert Einstein said:

“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvellous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day.

— “Old Man’s Advice to Youth: ‘Never Lose a Holy Curiosity.’” LIFE Magazine (2 May 1955) p. 64"

I was reading Brené Brown’s incredible book ‘Rising Strong’ recently, and I came across the chapter on curiosity. The chapter ‘The Reckoning’ and the quote that starts it off goes like this:

Curiosity is a shit-starter, but that’s okay. Sometimes we have to rumble with a story to find the truth.

~Brené Brown~

In light of that, I wanted to give you five simple ways to stay curious because Brown’s words ring true, curiosity is a shit-starter, once you get curious to someone’s behaviour it means that they sometimes have to be accountable to their story; to their unconscious behaviour as well as their conscious behaviour.

The rumble in the jungle of feelings and shadowland is we all like to think of ourselves as “good” people. If someone I love, and hold dearly, chooses to communicate something that I’ve done that causes them harm, I can often recoil and get defensive. When really, the way to deeper connection is to stay open and curious, allowing intimacy and vulnerability to flow so that I can deal with the issue at hand, and the emotions can be felt and honoured.

Of course, there are times when this isn’t possible, and you both need to take time out and grab some fresh air or make a cup of tea or coffee. If these avoidances continue, however, the relationship could stagnate, and then you both find yourselves in a dissatisfied place where you might live out your…