I'm a big believer in
lifelong learning. My schooling didn't end with a college diploma.
Learning doesn't have to happen in the classroom or for credit. Learning
something new is a daily adventure!
I tend to be a curious
soul, especially when I hear people's interesting stories about their lives. I love to explore new topics and concepts. I
believe I inherited the "curiosity gene" from my maternal
grandfather. Grandpa Joe was always fascinated with people's stories. He soaked up
new information. Consequently, Grandpa's perspective stayed young, despite his
years.
Sometimes a word or
concept comes into my life repeatedly for a short period of time and I'm
challenged to pay attention to it and to determine what it means in my life.
And so it was about a year ago when the word curiosity kept
manifesting itself over a period of days--first in a chance conversation with
someone who told me he is curious about so many things that he will never grow
bored. He told me about the books he was reading. They were diverse and
fascinating. Then, I saw a tweet about curiosity being the cure for boredom.
And then again, I saw yet another tweet about curiosity keeping us present and
reminding us to be open to change, meeting new people, challenging ourselves
and growing.
The repeated messages
about curiosity were meant for me! I had been overwhelmed by many professional
directions at one point a few years ago. I had taken professional multitasking
to my limits. As those professional endeavors came to their natural
conclusions, I was left with just one project--one that led to the writing of
my third book, Find Your Heart, Follow Your Heart: Get to the Heart of What
Matters and Create Your Abundant, Authentic, Joyful Life, published in July 2017.
Media exposure, speaking engagements and a series of Facebook Live videos followed, marking the next fulfilling chapter in this new venture. However, in the midst of it all, I started to feel that itch again, questioning as to
where I was being called next.
That was when the messages
about curiosity came into my life with increased frequency. My tendency toward
curiosity led me to even more opportunities for growth, fulfillment and
enjoyment this year.
With the calendar turning to 2018, I began writing a new series of blog posts called Fresh Thoughts for Your Monday, Affirming Words and Seasonal Sprinkles. Nudges from all directions also caused me to write a five-part blog series about My Dad, the Snake Man that has been posting this summer and fall. Another nudge caused me to submit my father's interesting life story to a magazine, where it is now awaiting publication.
As I write this post, I'm exploring even more exciting, new avenues this fall.
I offer these examples of the joy and adventure of curiosity and their recent effects on my life as a nudge to you.
What is
appealing to your curiosity? What new concept, skill or subject might you like
to learn about? Are there new people and new places calling to you? Are there new adventures waiting for you to say yes?
A curious mind is a fertile mind that eclipses fear, obstacles and limits. A handy dose of curiosity can lead to fresh insights, thoughts and ideas. Curiosity can lead to fresh starts.
Stay curious, stay present, stay aware. There's so much to explore. The sky's the limit!
