Curiosity- Day 31

 

“When you know more, you can do more.”

Brian Grazer

I’m hoping that since we have come to the end of our series that you have been inspired to up the curiosity in your life. 

Brian Grazer, the author of A Curious Mind tells us “…I consciously worked on making curiosity a part of my routine. I turned it into a discipline. And then I made it a habit.”

My theory early on in my study of curiosity was that being curious might help in the quality of aging. Along with diet, movement, sleep, spirituality, and social relationships I contend that remaining curious, in other words making it a habit, might be the secret ingredient to living a richer life. 

We are all born curious. It is a part of who we are. There is no reason we can’t remain curious. As Grazer reminds us, for him, “Curiosity was the was the way to uncover ideas, it was the way to spark them.”

My wish for you is that curiosity sparks a new way of looking at the world. 

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the matter. 

Curiosity- Day 30

 

“Curiosity is free.”

Brian Grazer

In his book A Curious Mind Brian Grazer writes about how he uses curiosity “to avoid getting in a rut.”

Oh the infamous rut! This is something I have struggled with over the years. The push/ pull of seeking routine, and yet craving novelty.

As I have proposed from the beginning how can this push to avoid the rut help us to age happier and healthier. Over the last several years I have moved three times. Inevitably once I arrive in my new location I immediately begin to establish certain routines which allow me to feel more comfortable in my new environment.

However, it doesn’t take long for me to start to feel that something is missing.  The new, the novel, the unknown are all things that bring that spark back to your life. Remember my posting about curiosity leading to an interesting life. 

I have a good friend who is fearless when it comes to trying new things. Want to weave a basket? No problem. Learn archery? No worries. Try baking an elaborate soufflé. She’s got this. Her curious nature is inspirational, and she always manages to have fun. 

I’m sure the word rut is not in her vocabulary!

Curiosity is simply just wanting to know. It’s kind of like satisfying an itch. It certainly propels you to out of a rut, and possible helps prevent you from falling back in. 

Are you comfortable in your rut or do you seek the new and unknown?

Curiosity- Day 29

 

“I think curiosity is the flint from which flies the spark of inspiration.”

Brian Grazer

Another definition for curious according to the Oxford dictionary is, “strange, unusual.”

Grazer points out that “…when we describe an object with the adjective ‘curious” we mean that it’s an oddity, something a little weird, something other than normal.”

This reminded me of the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, where the main character is aging in reverse. Along with my initial observation about poor Curious George perhaps curiosity has been looked at skeptically as something not really worth pursuing.

However, Grazer also states, “I want the opportunity to be different. Where do I get the confidence to be different? A lot of it comes from curiosity.”

Grazer is easily recognized in his industry for his well-known spiky hair style. Earlier in his career his hair was a calling card of sorts. To be honest I find myself curious about the motivation behind those who dress differently that than the standard norm. 

Is strange or unusual actually a bad thing? In fact, some of the most delightful experiences are when we encounter something out of the norm. Seeing a black and white beetle for the first time earlier this year filled me with both excitement and wonder as I quickly snapped a picture of the intriguing specimen.

After a little research I learned that it was called an Ironclad Beetle. According to Texas A & M Agrilife Extension, “These insects are a bit of a mystery because no one is sure what they eat, or anything else about them for that matter.” How delightful and curious that we actually have such a mysterious insect in a day where we seem to know so much. 

Where do you fall on the curiosity debate?

Curiosity- Day 28

 

“Asking questions isn’t just a way of understanding the world. It’s a way of changing it.”

Brian Grazer

In his book, A Curious Mind, Brian Grazer points out that, “Sometimes questions are received as somehow a challenge to authority.” He continues with the the idea that curiosity may result in the question, “How come you’re in charge?”

In my younger years I rarely questioned things that I had been told. When it came to religion, government, health and history I relied upon the “experts” to guide me. 

Overtime though, I realized that many things that seemed to be set in stone would change without much explanation. Perhaps the infamous egg causing higher cholesterol craze that left many a chicken scratching her head. I suppose we could just chalk this up to knowing more, but then I learned that many times who ever was in charge at the time seemed to set the agenda for the narrative. 

This first began with learning more about food, and how different lobbyists could influence how we eat through government proclamations. Remember the original food pyramid. However, my curiosity took me down a different path as I learned that not everyone was in agreement with these so called “experts.”

As I learned more about the history of my country I found myself asking more and more questions. However, what I learned was that if you question too much you are discounted as a “conspiracy theorist” wearing a tin foil hat. No one wants to appear the fool, so people stop asking and fail to trust their own instincts. 

I think perhaps the last three years has been a textbook study about not being allowed to ask questions. Suddenly the internet decided what we could be exposed to, and censorship became rampant. Over time more and more information came to light which aligned with what some of the early naysayers were proposing all along. 

Meanwhile, decisions had been made that were not always in the best interest of those making them. 

Today I no longer follow blindly what I’m told. I ask questions, look toward credible sources, and to be honest even when skeptical I don’t completely rule out the possibility that something might be true. 

Sometimes we are hesitant to ask questions because we don’t want to appear stupid. However, Grazer reminds us asking questions actually results in the opposite. “People who ask questions, in fact, are rarely thought of as stupid.”

I encourage each of you to keep your curiosity high, and not believe what you are told without giving it any extra thought. This may require a little more effort on your part, but it will be well worth it in the long run. 

Curiosity- Day 27

 

“I consciously use curiosity to disrupt my own point of view.”

Brian Grazer

Now why would Brian Grazer find it important to “disrupt his point of view?”

Perhaps because sometimes we get so set in our ways that we lose sight of others.  There is a popular meme on social media that says we our too busy thinking about our response that we rarely really just listen to what someone else is saying. 

I’m very guilty of this. I’m so dead set in my opinions that I rarely give much credence to another’s view. I’m too busy coming up with my counter argument. Being right takes precedence over everything else. 

The other day I was watching an Instagram reel where a stylist was tucking in her shirt and wearing a belt. For some reason this really bothered me that fashion trends come and go. I made a comment which was somewhat snide disguised as neutral. 

The influencer commented back remarking about how she liked tucking in her shirt, but it was not a requirement for me. At that moment I felt a little ashamed at being snarky. Of course, she can tuck in her shirt. What does it really matter to me? 

I want to be more curious about other’s point of view. In the end I might change my mind or not, but either way I want to be more open to more than one way of doing things. 

Being so rigid in our thinking may not be the best way to be. Curiosity might be the key to opening this door. 

Curiosity- Day 26

 

“Curiosity helped me create a life much more adventurous, interesting and successful than I could have hoped for..”

Brian Grazer

A Curious Mind by Brian Grazer is his personal story about how his curious nature played a key role in his success. He recounts how his grandmother encouraged and nurtured his endless stream of questions as a boy. 

He cultivated the habit of talking with strangers. As he reached out to learn more about the people who crossed his path, he used these experiences to fuel his career as a Hollywood producer. 

Grazer recounts, “Curiosity isn’t just a quality of my personality-it’s at the heart of how I approach being alive.”

Consider the qualities of adventure, interest, and success as you plan your life. Even in our older years we can make choices that align with these attributes. 

Grazer contends that curiosity can be a catalyst for a more courageous life. When we choose adventure our life becomes richer. Curiosity can help by “getting you comfortable with being a little uncomfortable.” 

For me as I age I find myself not so quick to move out of the comfort of the known. However, after recently traveling to New Mexico for a vacation I realized how good a change of scenery can be for our spirits. Just getting cooler weather was very invigorating, and I returned home refreshed. 

I always want to remain curious.

Curiosity-Day 25

 

“Curiosity is insubordination in its purest form.” 

Vladimir Nabokov

Russian Entomologist

According to Brian Gazer our school systems might actually be responsible for squelching our curiosity. In the classrooms of the 50’s and 60’s during the Eisenhower era obedience and order were high priorities. Grazer defines curiosity as more of an “irritant.”

He also states, “You’re born curious, and no matter how much battering your curiosity has taken, it’s standing by ready to be awakened.”

One of the joys of teaching younger children is their natural curiosity.  After retiring I tutored older elementary students, and was surprised and disappointed at how little curiosity and creativity was still left in many of my students. They basically wanted to be told exactly what results I wanted, and seemed quite helpless to come up with ideas on their own. 

I couldn’t wonder if several years of standardized testing had blown the wind out of their sails. The right answer took priority over the right question. 

Along with encouraging curiosity in our children as they go through the grades, encouraging ourselves to remain curious is just as important. Our brains respond well to tasks that are novel and complex. It is how we continue to “build” that brain muscle. 

Curiosity can help us to seek out the new and different. 

Curiosity- Day 24

 

“Curiosity is a more exciting way to live in the world.  It is truly the secret to living a bigger life.”

Brian Grazer

Although I consider myself a curious person, I am often guilty of not following through on my ideas. Failing to act seems to be my downfall. 

As I searched my bookshelves I came across another fun book to help peak curiosity, and to inspire action entitled The Book of Doing by Allison Arden. 

Arden begins her book with a list of eighteen Laws of Doing. These include things like the following:

“It is never too late to start doing.”

“Learn from doing.”

“Set a vision, but be open to the exploration.”

Arden includes a plethora of fun ideas to getting you “doing.” Both your curiosity and your creativity will benefit from these activities.

Along with Arden, Brian Grazer in his book A Curious Mind, reiterates that there are two key attributes needed for curiosity to flourish. First “Pay attention to the answer to your questions, and secondly “The willingness to act.”

The beauty of Arden’s book is that it provides a way for you to rediscover the things you loved to do as a child when your curiosity was at its peak. 

Through her collection of ideas and activities you might find some inspiration for your own creativity. 

Curiosity- Day 23

 

“We live at a moment in time that should be a ‘golden age of curiosity.’ We have access to more information more quickly than anyone else has ever had before. And yet, curiosity remains wildly undervalued today.”

Brian Grazer

Producer Brian Grazer has written the book, A Curious Mind, The Secret to a Bigger Life where he explores the role curiosity has played in his life. He attributes his success in Hollywood primarily to his innate curiosity. 

In his book he sites Barbara Benedict who he refers to as “a scholar of curiosity.” Now to be honest I love that title, and aspire to be a scholar of curiosity. She has studied the great scientists of the 17th and 18th centuries. What made them extraordinary, according to her, “is that they asked questions that hadn’t been asked before.”

Scientists like Isaac Newton and Galileo were up against a 2,000 year old power structure that “not only set strict limits on how each member of society could operate, but also what it was okay to ask questions about.” 

Grazer points out that the internet can only tell us what we already know. He reminds us of two things you can’t find on the internet:

“You can’t search for the answer to questions that haven’t been asked yet.

“You can’t Google a new idea.”

I found this concept pretty remarkable considering I’m constantly referring to the internet when I want to learn something new. I never really thought about asking new questions. 

What unanswered questions can you ask?

Curiosity- Day 22

 

“The secret of success is an absolute ungovernable curiosity.”

Larry King

According to Ramez Sasson in his post What is Curiosity and Why it is Most Important for Success , “Intellectual curiosity is vital for keeping your mind sharp and agile, and is important in every age. It stimulates the mind and keeps you young.”

As I think about some of the suggestions for healthy aging I can’t help but think that remaining curious sounds like the most fun. Sometimes the thought of working out or passing on that extra piece of dessert sound hard, but looking at the world through new eyes sounds so much easier to do. 

Just like the woman I refereed to at the beginning of this series, I can’t help but wonder if the combination of physical activity and a curious nature helped her to become a thriving centurion. I’ve always valued quality over quantity, and when it comes to years lived I strive for quality. 

That being said I come from a long line of relatives who lived into their nineties. I still want to be actively involved into those nineties if possible, and if curiosity is the secret to aging well I am well on my way. 

Sasson continues with:

“Curious people ask questions, read and explore. They are active about seeking information or experience and are willing to meet challenges and to broaden their horizons. They are not shy to ask questions and delve deeply into the topics that interest them.”

I’m beginning to see a pattern here. Curiosity seems to be the way to go!

Curiosity- Day 21

 

“There are no foolish questions, and no man becomes a fool until he has stopped asking questions.”

Charles Proteus Steinmetz

Todd B. Kashdan in his article for Psychology Today asks the question, “Instead of asking how curious you are, we can ask how ARE you curious?”

I think this is a good question, because I surmise that different temperaments might approach curiosity in different ways. Although, you might not consider yourself adventurous that doesn’t mean that you are not curious. 

Consider different ways that you could be curious in your own life. For many being an armchair traveler has opened the door to new and different cultures and places. For others speaking to strangers waiting in line might add to your curiosity.

Recently while on vacation Chuck and I met an older couple who had retired in Mexico. Intrigued by their story I found myself checking more into the town where they lived. Along with a friend of mine who spent the summer in Mexico, my curiosity was piqued as to why someone would move to another country. 

It’s easy to compare yourself to others, and often times come up lacking when it comes to curiosity. However, each one of us is unique with our own set of gifts and interests. I don’t think there is one best way to be curious. Rather, the fact that we employ our own style of curiosity in our life is really what is most important. 

Curiosity-Day 20

“The public have an insatiable curiosity to know everything, except what is worth knowing.”

Oscar Wilde

Could there be a negative side to curiosity? We are all familiar with the adage, “Curiosity killed the cat.” Sometimes our need to know, might overtake the caution needed in a particular circumstance. 

As much as we may like to travel to new places, in today’s world we need to have done our homework when it comes to general safety. Little reminders like “Safety in numbers” may not be a bad thing to consider. 

Christopher Bergland addresses this very thing in his post “Curiosity-The Good, the Bad and the Double-Edged Sword.”

He sites a study where they have found that some people, “are often driven by an uncontrollable urge to act on their curious tendencies, even when it’s not in their best interest.” This is where you find the thrill-seeker. To be honest, I’ve never quite understood this need or desire to put oneself in harm’s way in order to satisfy a curiosity.

Apparently there is something called “The Pandora Effect” which are people “doing regrettable things that are driven by unbridled curiosity.” Bowen Ruan reiterates that “curiosity can lure humans to seek information with predictably ominous consequences.”

I can’t help but be reminded about an internet challenge from a few years ago where children were asked to wait until their parent returned before eating the cookie placed before them. This was based on actual research using marshmallows as the tempter. The study was longitudinal, and showed that those children who could resist the temptation to eat the marshmallow were generally more successful in life. 

This appeared to be a predictor of delated gratification, something required to accomplish long term goals. Sadly, curiosity, something we generally equate with positivity, may actually have a negative side if not kept in check. 

Hopefully, we can let the wisdom of the ages help guide our choices in our latter years. Knowing this might help us to “modify our behaviors and curb potentially self-destructive pursuits driven by the innate urge to close the curiosity gap.”

Curiosity-Day 19

“Do stuff. Be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration’s shove or society’s kiss on your forehead.”

Susan Sontag

(Clenched- determined)

So after nineteen days of promoting curiosity I sure hope you are on board. Here are four more reasons according to Donald Latumahina in his post 4 Reasons Why Curiosity is Important and How to Develop It.

Latumahina writes, “Curiosity is an important trait of a genius. I don’t think you can find an intellectual giant who is not a curious person. Thomas Edison, Leonardo da Vinci, and Albert Einstein are all curious characters.”

Being curious makes your mind “active instead of passive.” The mind is like a muscle that will continue to stay strong if you continue to use it. Curiosity is a fun mental exercise. 

Curiosity is a way to be observant to new ideas. If you live in a state of curiosity your mind will anticipate and  seek out new ideas naturally. Without curiosity you might miss what is right before your nose. It would be sad to think about how many great ideas you might have missed due to your own lack of curiosity.

Being curious can “open up new worlds and possibilities.” Often times these gems are hidden in plain sight, and are easy to overlook. With a curious nature you will be more inclined to unearth these treasures. 

And finally, and probably most importantly curiosity brings excitement to your life. Latumahina states, “The life of curious people is far from boring. It’s neither dull nor routine…Instead of being bored, curious people have an adventurous life.”

Now that sounds like a win-win to me!

Curiosity - Day 18

“The important thing is not to stop questioning…”

Albert Einstein

Mario Livio is an astrophysicist who has written a book about curiosity.  Why? What Makes Us Curious explores different kinds of curIosity, and how they are not driven by the same thing. 

Are you driven by a curious feeling when something surprises you, or is in opposition to what you thought you knew to be correct? This is called perceptual curiosity. In this type of curiosity you might end up with an unpleasant feeling as you try to make sense of what you thought you already knew. Livio says, “It’s a bit like an itch that we need to scratch.” Our search for answers is a way to relieve that uncertainty.

On the other hand, curiosity can be considered quite pleasurable “when associated with an anticipated reward.”

This type of curiosity is referred to as epistemic curiosity, and is what drives scientific exploration, and life-long learning. 

Within a days time we can experience both kinds of curiosity. Usually we turn to the internet to quickly satisfy our curiosity needs. This type of curiosity has been named specific curiosity because it generally addresses a very particular bit of information. When I wanted to know if my chickens could eat citrus I turned to Google. I quickly learned they should not. 

Interestingly different parts of the brain are activated with different curiosities. In addition different time periods in history have limited or encouraged curiosity. Think back to the Middle Ages where the Church “wanted to convey to the masses the feeling that everything worth knowing was already known. Tragically Galileo was imprisoned for questioning the “known.”

This time period was followed by an explosion of curiosity in both the sciences and the arts. The Renaissance was a time where the constraints of the Church were lifted, and curiosity naturally found its way back to relevance. 

Livio points out that, “As we age we may lose some elements of our ability to be surprised, but that love of knowledge appears to be roughly constant across all ages.”

Good to know!

Curiosity-Day 17

 

“Curiosity is the engine of achievement.”

Ken Robinson

What type of curious person are you?

According to Todd B. Kashdan there are four types of curious people:

The first is The Fascinated. These people are highly curious in all areas, but especially in “joyous exploration.” I think this probably describes me. I felt like a young girl as I asked questions about the pistachios on our tour, and was thrilled beyond measure by the new information I had amassed. To be honest, that is one thing I miss about teaching young children. 

The second are The Problem Solvers. I think this is probably my husband. He’s quite good at fixing all kinds of problems. Especially those that can be solved with baling wire and chewing gum. His ability to assess a situation, inventory materials on hand, and put it all together successfully has always amazed me. He does some of his best thinking in the shower which aligns with research about the influence of water when it comes to creativity. 

Empathizers seem to be highest in social curiosity where they continually reach out to others with sincere curiosity about their lives. However, in regards to other levels of curiosity they seem to fall in the middle. Producer Brian Grazer uses this social curiosity as a super power of sorts in his job and life. 

Avoiders appear to be low on all areas of curiosity, and are especially low on stress tolerance. My observation has been that some people are uncomfortable with change, and choose not to seek out new experiences or people outside of their comfort zone. 

Do any of these types sound like you?

Curiosity- Day 16

 

“Get over the idea that only children should spend their time in study. Be a student so long as you still have something to learn, and this will mean all your life.”

Henry L. Doherty

I have a former co-worker who has hit the road with her four children in a effort to “see the world.” Each day she posts  their adventures on Facebook, and I must admit this unconventional lifestyle sure looks appealing. Her children are experiencing so many new and different places along their adventure. 

On my recent travels I felt like a young kid again as we toured a pistachio orchard. Of course, I had eaten and enjoyed pistachios before, but I had never really given them a second thought. 

I had no idea where they originated from, what they actually grew on, and how a male and female tree differed. In fact, one of my many questions was about who was their pollinator? You can imagine my surprise when I learned it was the wind. 

What my trip to the pistachio farm did was make me realize how much there is still left to learn, and I don’t want to lose that spirit of curiosity just because I’ve gotten older. Just like Twyla Tharp reminds us, we need to enlarge our world and ourselves in order to maintain that youthful spirit. 

Curiosity-Day 15

“Exploration is curiosity put into action.”

Don Walsh

As I watched my two year old grandson explore his backyard today I found myself delighting in his natural sense of exploration. After discovering a large, green grasshopper hiding in his wagon he returned to the house to get a flashlight. It amazed me his confidence and independence in exploring his world. 

Yesterday we talked about wandering, and in that vein another book by Keri Smith, How to be an Explorer of the World came to mind. Once again Smith encourages us to get out of our comfort zone and explore the world around us. 

As exciting as an African Safari might sound, just like my grandson, exploring your own backyard might result in a few delightful surprises when approached with the proper perspective. 

A few words of advice from Smith include:

“Always be looking.”

“Everything is interesting. Look closer.”

“Alter your course often.”

“Notice patterns. Make connections.”

Smith’s book is an intriguing look at what many might consider mundane. Along with a delightful introduction to the works of exploring, she includes fifty-nine suggestions for exploration. 

As we age our sense of exploration and delight may begin to wane. I can’t help but wonder how different our aging process might be if we looked at the world through the eyes of a curious two year old. 

Curiosity-Day 14

 

“Not all who wander are lost.”

J.R.R. Tolkien

The Wander Society by Keri Smith is a delightful little book about a mysterious group called The Wander Society. Although, not a formal organization with scheduled meetings, it is a group of like minded individuals who relish the idea of living a curious life. 

Smith states, "Society wants us to live a planned existence, following paths that have been traveled by others. Tried and true. The known, the expected, the controlled, the safe."

The Wander Society gives  us permission to continue in the footsteps of our childhood when curiosity was a part of each day. The whimsy of the book inspires its readers to add more opportunities for wandering. After all curiosity must have been a key factor in all explorations recorded in history. 

I can remember many adventures as a child where I would pack my backpack or knapsack as it was called then, and take off for the morning exploring my neighborhood.  When I was a little older I would hop on my bike and explore the nearby neighborhoods with my best friend. I was always searching for adventure or more specifically a mystery to be solved. 

Sadly in my early teens I realized that I wasn’t as brave as I needed to be, and these adventures stopped. However, my curiosity never really did.

A book review on Amazon by Kolya said it best:

“I really enjoy the messages of this book. To me, it was encouragement to go against the grain and go to the beat of your own drum. As we get older, I think we get really caught up with what society tells us is important, and we lose imagination and curiosity.”

I recently returned from a vacation to a place I’d never been to before. It had been several years since I had taken a real vacation. During that time period I had convinced myself that traveling wasn’t that important, and I was content living in my small corner of the world. 

However, I realized how wrong I was, and am already planning for a few more get always. 

Curiosity and travel are good for the soul.