Curiosity didn't kill the cat- it saved it.

Being curious is one of the most effective ways for us to engage with other human beings as well as the world.

Curiosity opens up a world of opportunities, it allows us to explore something physical or intellectual in new and novel ways, and discover new, interesting and innovative ways of doing things.

Curiosity can engage all or any one of our senses.

Curiosity allows us to listen to another person without judging them and to consider another point of view. It allows us to use our ears twice as much as our mouths and therefore to learn more about the world we are in than we already know about it.

Without curiosity our world would be a very dull place.

And yet, we rarely adopt a stance of curiosity preferring to share with the world our existing knowledge, our existing views, use our existing familiar perimeter. This may seem scary but not quite so scary as not letting allowing curiosity, especially for children.

Letting them find and discover on their own, in the dirt and mud, in trees and in gardens, in questions and in trying, allowing them to develop new and innovative ways of doing things.

So the challenge this time is to adopt a stance of curiosity. To say to someone, "that sounds interesting, tell me about it," or "Really, how did that happen?" or to be curious enough about something to see how it works.

And for those of us who are growing a new generation of humans, give them the space to be curious this week, let them explore something unaided, let them ask questions, let them find a new way of doing something routine. Wearing your knickers on your head or your clothes on backwards will not destroy the day.

Curiosity is one of the most important skills we possess, let's practice it and encourage our children to learn to revel in it. Let me know how you and they get on.

Comments

The here and now, living in it

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What 10 things do you do well?

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A well worn path

My challenge for the here and now is to take note of 3 things as you go about your day to day activities. Things you see everyday but pay no attention to: a beautiful set of stairs travelled up and down by generations of people all set about their own day to day; a century old tree who has cast shade on your route for decades; or a children's book which sits on the bookcase now collecting dust and when you notice them think about the value they give/ have given to you. It is incredible to think that in each day we follow the same path, be that on foot, in the car or through habit but often fail to appreciate the very things that make the path smoother. For those of you who like an even greater challenge pick a significant person and notice some of the 'overlooked' traits they possess, think about how those traits positively impact on your journey and if you are feeling really brave you could even tell them. Go on, it won't hurt that much.

From Clutter to Clarity

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