Curiosity As a Portal
What are you feeling curious about right now? Do you feel pulled or gently nudged in any new directions? What is your heart feeling called to explore or pursue? What is your imagination dreaming up for you these days?
They say that “curiosity killed the cat”, but I say .... what is wrong with dying if we are following our bliss and living our true nature? Especially if you are a cat and have 9 lives! Of course, as Human Beings, we need to use our powers of discrimination and be discerning… Taking into account our abilities and current health, the people in our lives, and the circumstances that surround us. That being said, its important to remember that each moment is a new opportunity to choose how we want to live our life. Moving towards what entices you to “jump for joy” and “do leaps in the air” may certainly lead you to making some changes in your life!….(I’m laughing at these Cat analogies)….but, “dying” is as natural as being born… and if we live this moment as though it were our last, we are almost certain to take more chances and make choices that create change and cultivate more joy in our life. I, for one, want to choose this more “exciting” and “delicious” reality over safety and comfort any day!
Curiosity has always been a driving force inside of me, propelling me forward on my path. I notice that being curious helps me to be more present in the moment and softens the propensity to be ardent in my thinking or attached to outcome. Being curious creates a receptivity that allows me to be surprised by what the moment has to show me. I am also able to release negativity and resentments more easily because I know that my “reality” is created, or at least interpreted, by me. The way I frame my experience will affect everything! Being a curious person by nature, I have always sought out “OTHER”, being drawn towards those people and things that feel foreign and unfamiliar to me. I enjoy exploring and adventuring and often learn the most through adversity or through pushing my own sense of comfort. I have always enjoyed taking on challenges that feel overwhelming or even impossible. At times, I marvel at the uplifting and inspiring interactions I have with complete strangers simply because I am allowing myself to pause and say hello. A deeper connection is always possible when I am feeling curious and open hearted in the moment.
Curiosity is a powerful tool we can use when we are dealing with physical and emotional pain or discomfort in our lives. Instead of responding to the discomfort with resistance or judgement, we can move into a relational dance with ourselves. Like a Jedi mind trick, curiosity can instantly shift how we are feeling by moving our attention more towards “possibility” vs “overwhelm and doom”. This is a powerful tool to use especially if we are feeling stuck, confused, anxious, or are in pain. Being curious, we are shifted into a new orientation or perspective that uses the mode of inquiry as its flashlight. Shining this light on our discomfort, we can see more clearly what our bodies are trying to communicate and what Life is wanting us to learn.
Curiosity can be a portal through which we are able to “awaken”, discover our growing edge, connect with the deeper wisdom inside us, and harness the courage we need. In this space we are able to release fears and limiting beliefs, breathe in patience and healing, nurture compassion towards ourself and extend that compassion towards others. When we hang out here the discomfort can begin to dissipate, the tension to soften, and the pain to be soothed.
