13/10/2022
*Taken from Dear Darling but feels so appropriate to this season.
Recently, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to be curious—to engage with others, to care, to raise questions, to be in awe of something. I miss this feeling, it reminds me of my childhood—engaged, awake, and totally captured by the ordinary. Somewhere along the way, life became overly familiar, and I lost my sense of wonder. I listen to a friend only to find myself thinking of a good bit of advice, all before she’s finished speaking. I rush through my work commute in a frenzy, never pausing to make eye contact or to take in my surroundings. I wind down at the end of the day anxious, exhausted, and out of touch with myself, never having paused to question how I’m really doing.
There’s certainly room to be more curious—but how? I’m sure I’m not alone in this—can the simple practice of curiosity really make a difference? With a second glance and an open mind, do we have the power to shift our worry into wonder? I think it’s possible. But to activate curiosity, it will take a bit of practice. So, the next time we engage with a friend, let’s take an approach of, “Tell me more.”
Remember that we never fully understand what another is experiencing, thinking, or feeling, and we certainly don’t know what’s going to happen. There’s always something to be learned. As we take the 8am route to work, let’s take on the role of the seeking observer and ask, “What is beautiful about this?”, instead of getting bogged down by the mundane.
And finally, as we catch a breath at the end of the day, let’s pause and reach for some curiosity towards ourselves. Let’s take an honest look inward and ask (without judgment): “What brought me the most joy today? What am I afraid of? Am I holding onto something that I need to let go of?” Remember there’s always opportunity for more openness, more seeing, and more knowing.
You, Darling, are a wonder to behold and to understand more deeply—as are your surroundings. So together, let’s put on our curiosity glasses, shift that worry into wonder, and take a second glance at life today.
Warmly,
Taylor Potecha, Darling Family