The Superpowers of Being Curious
Curiosity is one of my favorite attributes a person can have. When someone is genuinely interested in a topic, you can see their whole body light up when they speak about it. Even when I don’t particularly care about something, it’s magical watching someone talk about something they’re fascinated with. It’s finding a treasure in another human.
In my experience, a curious person is more open to ideas, things, and ways of conducting oneself. There is a willingness to be wrong, which is an aspect that many of us need to practice. Curious people aren’t boring. They’re always looking for something new to explore and discover.
A dear friend of mine has inspired me in this area. We would take trips down to NYC and follow the sun wherever it took us. She would strike up conversations with strangers around us when we sat, and we always made new friends. It’s a skill I hadn’t genuinely practiced, and she was gliding through life, flexing this muscle easily. I remember being in awe of her finesse with others.
Cities are full of weird and exciting humans, but all places are if you think about it. Currently, I live in an agricultural community with a college that brings an array of people to the seat next to you. I’ve loved chatting with the professor whose husband was the mayor. I got to know the bartender that recently ran for congress. I once met a woman from Australia that sold shoes, and we ended up having a fancy dinner every time her job brought her into town. Each of these had such a curiosity for the world around them and followed through with their novel ways of thinking.
I appreciate curious people, primarily because of their commitment to learning and understanding the unique bits of life. We can be intrigued by something, but do we ever do anything about it? We can’t dive into every topic, but we can learn about some… and it makes all the difference when that next step happens when the curiosity sparks the urge to continue. Curiosity isn't just asking questions; it’s also about seeking answers. There is a discipline in going beyond the questioning stage, and I admire that follow-through as it takes work.
I try to keep interesting goal-oriented people around me. Surrounding yourself with creative and inquisitive people is living life at its finest because it makes us better humans. We learn from each other. Being curious opens us up to everything without any judgment. Suppose it’s a new recipe, law, or even way to rest. Maybe it’s not for you, but if you explore it, you will come out the other side more knowledgeable than before.
Stay curious and share your passions with me. I genuinely want to know!