curiosity | seeking querencia

Made by Lydia Kimble-Wright with Over App

Adulthood forces us to lose our childlike curiosity. For many of us, the passage of time flies by as quickly as a yearly one week vacation. At the end of a 24-hour-day, our to-do lists go forlorn and unfinished. Each uncompleted to-do follows us from one day to the next, playing catch me, if you can. It is little wonder that we have no time to satisfy any few remaining curiosities.

On the other hand, small children experience time very differently. They live in the moment, and their days are spent satisfying their many curiosities. They follow the bread crumbs, eager to see where they may lead. Unlike adults, their 24-hour-days are packed with pursuing a multitude of adventures and seeking answers to questions that raise more questions to be answered. Each day is pregnant with possibilities, since their minds never lack for captivating thoughts, ideas and potential explorations.

Unfortunately, as they grow older, life indoctrinates them to refocus on “grown-up” goals, like formal education, careers, the house with the white picket fence, and families, leaving little time to appease their curiosities.

There is no doubt that our adult lives are filled with necessary responsibilities and obligations that we cannot ignore. Nevertheless, we must set aside the time to fully engage with this one life. We are surrounded by endless curiosities to unearth and examine. A curious nature inspires us, uncovers new, fertile paths to follow, fosters growth, and expands the imagination—all things that bring balance, joy, and wonder to our often serious and stressful adult lives.

So, curious to know where ladybugs hang out? How many times have you wondered where that street leads? Well, follow and see for yourself. Every now and again, follow your curiosity wherever it takes you. It just might expand your mind, enrich your life, and at the very least, satisfy your curiosity. Say “yes” to curiosity.

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For years now, I’ve chosen a word that signifies a quality that I wish to add, focus upon or prioritize in during the new year. I gave up on making futile New Year’s resolutions, that, by February, lay in the dust bin of resolutions from years past. In 2016, the word that stirs my soul is “curiosity.”

Oxford Dictionary defines “curiosity” as “[a] strong desire to know or learn something.” In my case, I am drawn to the definition of the word given by the website Vocabulary.com as “the state of being curious: inquisitive, wondering, ready to poke around and figure something out.” In choosing a word for the year, I state my intention to become more familiar with and to know the depth and breadth of the word in my life. More importantly, I intend to embrace the word to understand and learn more about my world, such as, why I make the choices that I make and think the way that I do.

In my case, the state of being curious is both weighty and inviting. In general, I believe that it is our sense of curiosity that open us to new things and propels us to undiscovered heights. Children seem to have an innately curious nature. They excel in it. I watch as my g’children tirelessly explore and study the world around them. Fiercely determined, they, undaunted, follow the little bread crumbs that led to new finds.

How else do we learn and grow? Curiosity expands our world. Without it, we stay stagnant, unable to step out of our comfort zone to expand our boundaries. Curiosity is not limited by space or time. It exists, welcoming us to uncover the truth of it all. It applies to both our outer and inner worlds. I want to learn whether curiosity buoys me or whether I lack the willingness to delve deeper to explore and answer the questions that populate my mind. Or, am I missing the opportunity to finally discover facets of myself and my world that lay brimming with relevant knowledge? Furthermore, what can I do to invite more curiosity into my life?

The name of this blog is “Seeking Querencia,” and it is named so for a reason. I chose it because I longed to mine my thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and even biases, to expose answers to questions about where I’ve been and where I am going. I needed to learn more about me. At this time in my life, I do so more than ever. With each passing year, I feel a sense of urgency to answer the unanswered questions, and “curiosity” is my vehicle towards that end.

As a participant in the outer world, it, too, holds my curiosity. The outer world is ripe with fruit to peak my curiosity. For example, I find much to discover about people with whom I am familiar. I know them, but do I really “know” them? In most cases, we don’t take the time to dig beneath the surface to know the most integral part of a person — their story. Knowing one’s story is a doorway to a more profound understanding of that person. Curiosity opens that door.

All in all, much like explorers discovering new lands, I look upon 2016 with anticipation and unfettered possibility. Where will it take me? What adventures should I look forward to? It is a certainty that some answers will be met with surprise and skepticism, others denial and still others agreement. What answers await me, both large and small? Will those answers raise more questions? It is no wonder that trepidation stands along with my anticipation. It is a scary undertaking. Yet, as the year passes, I will think of the wisdom excerpted from Dr. Seuss’s “Oh The Places You Will Go.”

“You will come to a place where the streets are not marked.
Some windows are lighted. but mostly they’re darked.
But mostly they’re darked.
A place you could sprain both your elbow and chin!
Do you dare to stay out? Do you dare to go in?
How much can you lose? How much can you win?” ~ Dr. Seuss

The door to 2015 is closed. Two thousand sixteen is an expansive field of promise. Curiosity will guide me into the nooks and crannies of my mind and the outer world. I feel like I am about to begin a class covering a topic about which I knew nothing. I am both interested and excited about the coming year. So bring it on!

I am also curious to know more about you. Take this as an official poke and prod. Come on, indulge me in the comments or email me at seekingquerencia@gmail.com. Enlighten me with a few details about you. Be assured, I will do the same.