Integrate Series #5: Get Curious

Around here we don’t look backward for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths. ~ Walt Disney

Perhaps by now, your volunteer travel experience feels like it is fading into the rear-view mirror. We think we’ll be able to sustain the feeling of possibility and presence when we come home, but our “real lives” are not usually so compartmentalized. We have to think of the needs of others, pay our bills, and fulfill many different obligations. But, the true opportunity to heal and grow actually happens amidst the pressures of daily life – if we’re willing to pay attention and be curious.

This week, come back to the concept of curiosity and vow to get curious about everything.

As humans, we are far from perfect. But, what if we saw our moments of imperfections as clues instead of judging ourselves. 

We all have times where we fight with someone we love, avoid calling the doctor’s office to book follow-up scans, or keep ourselves so busy that we don’t have time to feel anything. What if instead of berating yourself or making judgments about your behavior, you paused and asked yourself the question…

I wonder what this [response/behavior/apathy] is about?

Then, give yourself time to see what surfaces. Perhaps an answer bubbles up or perhaps you are faced with more uncertainty, judgment, or confusion. But, what if you could sit within this space for a few hours, a day, or even all week? Try sitting with whatever answer surfaces for a while. Perhaps you can even repeat the question for whatever has come up as your “answer.” 

I wonder what that [whatever your answer was] is really about?

The point is not that you have to have it all figured out. The point is to cultivate awareness and a willingness to get to know yourself better. This awareness creates a little space for you to attempt to replace judgment with curiosity. This is the first step to uncovering how, what, and where you want to make changes in your life.