We are caught up in the routines and expectations of life. Dare we step outside of our own boundaries? What if we embraced what lies beyond us? This is a common trope people use for motivation. Step outside of your comfort zone and face what you find difficult. But I want you to think about something beyond that. Not your boundaries as an individual, but the boundaries of people as a collective. What does it really mean to be human?
The familiar
We stick to what we know. That's a boundary we set for ourselves. Our daily routines keep us bound together. We rarely question the purpose. We don't think if there is a better way. But then, is anything really "better"? Let's say "new." We don't always feed our curiosity with something new. The old and familiar feels safe, with occasional "new" to make us feel like there is progress.
Uncertainty
Certainty is reassuring, but also limiting. What if we embraced uncertainty and viewed it as an opportunity rather than a threat? Life is full of surprises, and by embracing the unknown, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities. Curiosity fuels us, allowing us to appreciate the beauty in unpredictability and find joy in anything that is novel.
What if
"What if" is our power, our spark, our path to what's uncharted. Maybe just a little bit of healthy curiosity can help us unleash our creative potential. Give yourself permission to follow your curiosity and explore the endless "what ifs" that exist within us.
New
Don't just ask questions, but seek answers. Embrace diverse perspectives. Invite new ideas and insights. Listen more. By actively listening, we expand our understanding and challenge our own preconceived notions. Everything we know is taught to us, but what have we discovered? Everything can be taught, but value is when we discover it on our own. "New" to you doesn't have to be "New" to me.
Contagious
I warn you, curiosity is contagious. This inquisitive nature can create a ripple effect. There will be a time where you will have more questions than answers. You may not know where to seek answers, and the walls will seem dull. But your ripples will encourage others to question. Fostering a culture of curiosity, maybe not today, or tomorrow, but someone in the future will have more answers.
Why curiosity?
Why? Why question? If we're safe and stable, what do we need more of? Is being curious really that important? Is it inherent to being human? If it was, why would we need a reminder? Maybe we're meant to stay close to what we know. Maybe the walls are there to protect us. Maybe there's sanity in this safety. It's warm. It's cozy. Maybe my curiosity stops at knowing a fact from Wikipedia.
Maybe we are not sure what really is being human.
