Curiosity and Openings

The Alternatives To Curiosity

Curiosity is a strong desire to know or learn something. Opposites of curiosity include disinterest, indifference and normality. Choosing between curiosity and indifference is a clear choice. How we choose impacts the nature of our lives and experiences in a big way.

If we cling to normality, we may think we are staying safe. For a while, that may be true. However, eventually the normality we are clinging to becomes stagnant. The world and our circumstances are moving on and we are staying in place. The safety we were going for is an illusion. Best to move on with the world. There are not many Openings around when we cling to normality.

What are the results of indifference and disinterest? They keep us separate from others and the world around us. They slow us down and we stagnate. They are more about negative emotions than safety. These attitudes don’t get us very far and they can end up consuming our happiness. We are not encountering many Openings, because we are incapable of seeing them.

Curiosity Is An Ally

Resisting change is futile. It is inevitable throughout our lives. A desire to know and learn allows us to accept change, even if it is uncomfortable or upsetting. Our sense of peace depends on our acknowledging that these new things are now a part of our lives.

Curiosity requires an open mind. We can ask questions. We can actively seek knowledge and learning. We can surround ourselves with a diversity of people, experiences and places. We can pursue the interests we have and see where they lead us.

We can nurture curiosity as our ally. We are born with a sense of curiosity, but for some of us it is left undeveloped; often as a result of how we are raised. However, curiosity can always be rekindled. We can let go of fear or other impediments and give our curiosity and imagination free reign. Doing so is fun and we can still proceed with the sense of safety that we need.

Being A Seeker

This blog is all about Openings. How do we take advantage of Openings without exercising our curiosity? We don’t, actually. When an Opening appears, it is something new that enters our lives. We have to check it out and see what it is about. We have to discern whether it is right for us. For each Opening, an open mind and learning are essential to our decisions regarding whether to walk through it.

Being a seeker allows for an interesting and stimulating life. Along with the many positives of seeking does come change, challenge and uncertainty. However, these things often diminish in contrast to the negatives of staying in place. The concept of the Hero’s Journey is that we are meant to be seekers and that is what leads us to fulfillment and being true to ourselves.

As a seeker, we may live a life that is different from normality. This takes us away from society’s safety and security, but gives us many gifts in return. Seeking unlocks mysteries. It brings us to a wealth that is beyond physical possessions. It often brings us deep within in order to develop the courage and self-knowledge needed to be a seeker.