Fourth Week: More explorations with choice: Choosing curiosity

Nature offers an abundance of teachers, and in the realm of curiosity, nothing is quite as engaged as a curious kitten. The next time you have an opportunity to watch a kitten at play, notice how its entire body moves toward the object of its curiosity. Whiskers forward, pupils dilated, ears forward, the whole body moves into its exploration of the as-yet-to-be-discovered unknown. And, notice how easily you can engage a kitten's curiosity by introducing a new element to its world. The whole world, and everything in it, is a constant call to new discovery.

It's the same when we are young. For a baby, everything he or she encounters is a new discovery. One of our most basic stances in the world right from the beginning is curiosity and the delight of discovery. It's only if, and as, we learn to curb our curiosity that we begin to close down this basic response.

This week's experiment is to consciously choose to bring curiosity into your daily experience. As you encounter the day, become aware of the opportunity offered to enter it with a stance of curiosity instead of dread, boredom, anxiety, or a feeling of burden or pressure. You might wonder what the day will bring, what new discoveries the day holds for you, even as you notice whatever other feelings you have upon awakening and engaging your day. Just add in a dose of curiosity, whatever your mood.

Especially, pay attention to your body. As you move through the week, notice those moments when you constrict because of fear or shame, and ask yourself what it would be like if you were curious, instead. There's no need to force yourself to shift into curiosity. Rather, notice what it's like to be curious about what would be different if you were able to be curious instead of scared, ashamed, or whatever other constricting feeling you may be having.

There are words that are particularly related to curiosity, such as wonder . . . I don't know yet . . . Notice how your body, feelings, and thoughts respond when you meet a new experience with wonder and/or not knowing. This week's experiment is all about exploring what it's like to open up to life and about being willing to explore

In this week's journey, remember your other constant companion self-acceptance, which we'll look at in more detail next time. Curiosity and self-acceptance work together to allow us to enter the world with enthusiasm and spontaneity. Notice how it feels for you to engage whatever emerges in your day-to-day experience with an open willingness to be curious about how you will respond and what you will learn.

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