Did Curiosity Really Kill the Cat?

Curiosity is not allergic to failure. Curiosity drives you to the haunted house because the thrills lie in what we don’t expect, not in what’s safe. – Seth Godin

Are you curious? When is the last time you explored something new? When is the last time you read a book about a topic you have never explored before? When was the last time you drove a new way to work?

The old saying says, “Curiosity killed the cat” but I think sitting at home bored, playing it safe, will do the same thing. We might be breathing but that is about it. I think I want to run the risk and live a curious life.

Curiosity can start us down the path to shipping, to bringing things to the world, examining them and repeating the process again (and again). – Seth Godin

What If?

Curiosity asks the question, what if? It opens the door to a new idea, a new opportunity. Curiosity gets you started down a new career path or building your own company or non-profit. Curiosity leads you to that new vacation spot instead of that nice place you have gone ten years in a row. Curiosity leads you to make the first keystroke on the book you have been sitting on for years. Curiosity also leads you to share your completed manuscript with the world.

Sure being curious is very risky. (Remember that dead cat?). You might actually fail; you might screw something up.  You might find a new restaurant you don’t like or find a new job you hate more than the one you have now. What if you do?

This is really the wrong way to look at life. The question we should be asking is what if we get it right? What if it works? What if I fail and get back up go at it again?

Life is better when you look at it from a positive perspective

Let’s assume up front it is going to work out.

Maybe for me it is just another symptom of being in “mid-life” but I want to be curious. I want to do something new and different. I want to live curious. If you watch the news a lot (I hope you don’t) they will tell you how we all hate each other and everything you do is going to lead to some horrible disease. However, I think this world is still filled with a lot of wonderful people and wonderful adventures to embark on.

I wonder, what can I be curious about next?

A couple years ago I picked up the camera again. I rejoined Toastmasters. In a couple of months I will be a certified Disaster Relief Chaplain allowing me to serve in disaster zones. I am about to accept my second invitation to be interviewed by a podcaster. Yes I am busy but what if?

How about you, what are you curious about?

If you need help being curious again, here are some simple steps.

(A fulfilled life does not need to be complicated)

• Read a book about a topic outside your usual genre. (I read mostly non-fiction but I try to read one or two fiction books each year)
• Schedule a vacation to somewhere new
• Visit a museum you have never been too.
• Take a class on something new
• Volunteer for an organization you are curious about
• Every day ask the question, What if…….?

What are you waiting for? Today is a great day to be curious.

The cat may have been killed by being curious but I bet he died with a smile on his face.

Seth Godin’s quotes are from his book, Poke the Box: When was the Last Time You Did Something for the First Time?

photo credit: N’Grid Regarder les flocons de neige via photopin (license)

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About the Author: Jon Stallings

I am enthusiastic about helping others discover their purpose and grow into a deeper relationship with Jesus. It is great to see their eyes light up at their “Ah Ha!” moment when they discover they were created for something more. My hope is that this blog will help encourage and inspire you along your way. Join the conversation and take the time to share with me your own story. I have been married to my beautiful wife Janice for over 30 years. We currently live in McDonough Georgia with our daughter. Our two boys have left the nest and we have two wonderful grand kids. Of course we cannot forget about our dog Bear.