“I want to live a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear.”
I felt the weight of these words in my gut when I read them earlier this week in Elizabeth Gilbert’s book Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. You know the feeling when it seems as if you remember a truth you once knew by heart, but had forgotten? When your body agrees with your mind and offers proof with a shot of adrenaline and a covering of goosebumps?
If I was a cartoon, there would have been a flashing neon arrow pointing to the words in the book saying “THIS! Don’t miss THIS!”
Suffice it to say, I have become curious about this idea of curiosity vs. fear.
Curiosity says dig deeper. Fear says stay safe.
Curiosity says explore, play, get your hands dirty. Fear says it will be too messy and too hard.
Curiosity says give it a try. Fear says what if I fail?
Curiosity says the possibilities are endless! Fear says the world is too scary.
Curiosity invites us to be inquisitive, wondering, ready to poke around and figure something out. Curiosity asks questions, reads more, explores new places, tries new things, learns new skills. Curiosity is teachable and always growing. Curiosity makes room for compassion and a sense of humor when we feel awkward, unsure or incompetent as we set out in a new direction.
Fear is paralyzed by what ifs. Fear says it is safer to stay here. Fear says they might not like me, respect me, or think I’m smart. Fear says someone else can do it better. Fear says who do you think you are? Fear says I’m too old, too fat, too late, too poor, too dumb, too scared. Fear says it is too hard to change.
Curiosity keeps me moving forward. Fear keeps me stuck.
Children are naturally curious. Children don’t mind risking failure by trying new things. Children know they are still learning and growing and changing. Perhaps this childlike quality of curiosity is part of what Jesus was endorsing when He suggested we become like children.
And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3
As I play with what it means to be brave in preparation for my first Being Brave retreat later this month, this concept of curiosity resonates with me. For me, when I become curious about myself, my interests, my passions in addition to wondering about the activity of God’s spirit in the people and places around me, I begin to see possibilities which were previously hidden from view. Being curious replaces judgment and certainty and makes me want to explore and experiment. Being curious opens my eyes to see myself and the world in a slightly different way. Curiosity distracts my monkey mind and helps me focus on the possibilities rather than the risks. Curiosity says being a beginner again is not only okay, it might actually be fun.
Could curiosity be an antidote or at least a friendly companion for our fear? Might curiosity even make us braver?
What do you think? How does curiosity point you in a better direction?
Good post and one I needed to hear! Too often I want to be good at something right away, and I avoid things that look too hard out of fear. To look at some new endeavor out of the lens of curiosity is freeing. Just as little children, we older people are changing and growing too!
Amen, sister! I found it a wonderful new word to add to my thinking about this stage of the journey. Curiosity sounds like fun!!
Kelly,
What great thoughts! Thank you for writing them. They definitely resonated with my spirit. Fear has gripped my life for way too long. There are things I want to do, want to see and yet I give way to the “what ifs” nearly every time. I know this is an area I struggle with and sincerely want victory over. It’s an area I don’t want to pass on to my son and now that his eyes are watching my every move, I pray I will pass on the spirit of curiosity and not fear.
Blessings to you and your writing ministry!
Thanks so much! I appreciate your words of encouragement! You are so right about being aware of what we are passing along to our children. They see us struggle with fear, but they also see when we overcome it! Praying for more curiosity for both of us!
Cheering you on with tears in my eyes for this post! I adore this!
These statements:
“I want to live a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear.”
“Curiosity keeps me moving forward. Fear keeps me stuck.”
YES! I thought of my almost 10 year old son while reading this. He has struggled with PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, and OCD for the last four years. Though he has made incredible leaps toward healing in the last year, he continues to struggle with exactly these things you listed regarding fear. Fear has controlled his life for so long. Fear has taken my curious little guy on a detour, and this momma doesn’t like it! I’ve prayed so many various ways, but tonight, when I pray over him, I will ask God to restore his CURIOSITY!! Having a new specific way to pray for him excites me!
Thank you, thank you for this! #livefreeThursday
Crystal, you are such an encouragement to me!! Thank you so much for that. I have a child who battles Anxiety as well and this new word struck a chord with me on her behalf as well. I am praying for our babies to lean into their curiosity the next time fear rears its ugly head. So glad this was meaningful to you!! Blessings, my friend!
I am glad I stumbled across this new link up so I could meet some new folks out here… I was actually curious! This was encouraging to read! Blessings!
Now I am curious to read the book. Perhaps I ‘ll see if the library has it! THANKS! #FridayFive
“Curiosity keeps me moving forward. Fear keeps me stuck.” YES! All of the results of curiosity propel us forward: exploration, asking questions, trying something new. I love this encouraging pep talk!