I’m asking the above question as I’ve been sitting with this blog post for a good few days but have got absolutely nowhere.
I was inspired to write about curiosity as in my world, curiosity is the backbone of evolution.
I love curiosity. I love to ask questions, to learn new things, to explore, to discover different perspectives.
So, when I first sat down to write this blog post I figured I’d have plenty to say.
Crickets.
I recognise that one of my go-to places when I think about curiosity is ‘discovery’, but there is of course another meaning to curiosity – something odd, peculiar, and unusual.
As an example, some of you will know that I make use of my intuition in all my decisions. I use my intuition to find clarity, to build confidence, and to identify direction and next steps. To some that makes perfect sense and to others it is a curiosity of the more unusual kind.
Another go-to place is cats. No, not the cute cat videos on social media. I’m of course referring to the proverb, ‘curiosity killed the cat’.
What is it with curiosity and cats? I had to do a little sleuthing to learn how curiosity and cat ended up as such a famous pair.
First recorded in 1598, in a play by British playwright Ben Jonson, the original wording said “Care killed the cat”, where “care” referred to worry or sorrow for others. (Wikipedia)
Oxford Languages is suggesting, “being inquisitive about other people’s affairs may get you into trouble.”
For someone like me who considers curiosity to be something positive (even the unusual and peculiar kind), I was somewhat dismayed when I read about other perspectives found on Phrases.org:
Saint Augustine, AD 397: “God fashioned hell for the inquisitive.”
John Clarke, in Paroemiologia, 1639: “He that pryeth into every cloud may be struck with a thunderbolt.”
Oh my.
There’s a curiosity from 1912 (see what I did there!), when an addition was introduced: “Curiosity killed the cat, and satisfaction brought it back.” I like that.
I’m intrigued, what’s your go-to place when you think of curiosity?
Do you see it as something to use in moderation? Is it something positive?
For me, curiosity is definitely something positive. I consider it to be the backbone of evolution.
We gain infinitely in life when we allow ourselves to be a bit curious as it stretches our imagination, expands our sense of self, and deepens our connection to the world we live in.
And as if this isn’t enough, curiosity is also a huge resource for our sense of freedom. If you want to apply a bit of curiosity right now, check out a new way to view freedom and try the Mapping Your Freedom quiz.