I was thinking this morning that my curiosity has been a steady guide in my life. If it weren’t for the fact that I am curious about things, I might not ever leave my bed to achieve anything. Life holds discomfort and pain, but —surprisingly— I remain curious about how it unfolds and where it leads. Death promises to reveal something, too.
When I was 8 or so, I began to doodle. Mom and dad took notice and encouraged me. Doodling led to more serious drawing and drawing led to my love for cartooning.
I don’t know why I love to draw. I can only say that I find it magical to draw a line and create an illusion for the eye. Sometimes when I draw caricatures at a party my subject will say that she can’t wait to see the finished drawing. I usually reply with “Me too!” At that point she looks at me with doubt but I’m not lying. I also wonder what the finished drawing will look like.
As I moved through school I took an interest in a number of activities. I loved telling jokes and getting laughs from my friends. I loved to listen to music and wondered how exciting it would be to play drums in a rock band. I also loved to argue. I enjoyed presenting facts in support of a point of view. It was great fun to see if I could build a case that was beyond reproach.
Of all my interests and experiences, perhaps my love for writing is the best example of my curiosity at work. When I start to write I usually do not know what I believe and what it is that I want to say. I only have a general direction. By writing down snippets I frame the boundaries and then a path emerges for me to follow. By writing about something I come to understand what I think about it. Writing is a path to the awareness that satisfies my curiosity.
Over the years, curiosity has not just led me to more learning or greater awareness. Sometimes it has been a valuable counsellor.
At times life beats you down and it seems impossible to go on. I have not pondered suicide to the point of attempting it, but I have felt despair on numerous occasions. What kept me from self harm? Curiosity. My life will come to its natural conclusion soon enough. In the meantime, I am interested to see what happens next.
It is “curious” to consider that the things that enter our lives may have little to do with providence or special inspiration. It could just be that we were curious enough to engage in them. The activities, relationships, and careers that we pursue might stem from our fundamental need to know something more.
If I were choosing gifts for an individual I would first grant the gift of unlimited curiosity. Curiosity may lead to danger (it killed the proverbial cat) but it appears to be the catalyst for moving forward. It is what propels life and makes it rewarding. A satisfied curiosity might even be the optimal foundation for true joy.