John 11:55-56 – The Jewish Passover was coming up. Crowds of people were making their way from the country up to Jerusalem to get themselves ready for the Feast. They were curious about Jesus. There was a lot of talk of him among those standing around in the Temple: “What do you think? Do you think he’ll show up at the Feast or not?”

Gratitude Day 907

Recently, I added a new word to my vocabulary. Actually, it’s an old word. One that has been around forever. I’m just revisiting it and using it in a new way.

The word: curious.

Yes, when I think of “curious,” I think of the yellow books from my childhood about the slightly inquisitive Curious George. Curious George constantly found himself in trouble because he was naturally curious about everything. Sometimes, his curiosity got him into hot water. Other times, something funny would happen.

Unfortunately, my experience of this word has been based on this interpretation. For years. Only of late, have I discovered that being curious about many things should be normal. Part of life. Something that we embrace as a way to discover more about ourselves.

And so, my understanding of being curious has shifted. Rather being befuddled or confused about something, simply be curious. Not sure exactly what a next step should be? Choose to be curious in the meantime. Why do you do certain things? Compassionately ask yourself to be curious with yourself and figure it out.

Being curious has been so helpful! Why do I overeat? Now, I’m trying to be curious if it’s because I are really hungry, bored and (most often) emotionally eating. Why do I feel a certain way? I’m trying to ask myself more helpful questions these days and simply be curious.

We can be curious about so many things. This gives us space and opportunity to explore more than we might normally would. We don’t have to have the answers. We just need to be curious.

It is amazing how much more liberating this can feel. The pressure to figure it all out has been released. I don’t have to know everything. I just need an attitude of curiosity which allows me to explore, dig deeper and discover something new.

What if we took this same attitude of curiosity with our faith? We don’t have to have it all figured out. We can explore and try different things until we find something that resonates with us. An attitude of curiosity allows us to explore, dig deeper, question and approach a difficult topic with the freedom to simply explore and not have to have it all figured out.

Curiosity is also a way to be more compassionate towards yourself. And others. Rather than judging yourself and being hard on yourself, curiosity allows you to extend grace towards yourself and others. It gives you space to explore without judgement.

I am discovering that simply embracing curiosity removes some of the pressure to get things “right.” It reminds me that exploration is just as important part of the journey as reaching the destination. Curiosity grants us permission to not have to have everything figured out. We just need to keep asking questions.

This is such a great way to approach faith. We all have questions about faith. Sometimes, we are intimidated or scared to ask a question. Curiosity allows us to ask all the questions we want with no shame. Curiosity allows us to try different faith traditions and see if they speak to us. Curiosity allows us space to simply ask all the questions we need to.

So, this day, this week, this month, can you grant yourself permission to simply be more curious? About your feelings. Emotions. The difficult questions in your life.

And yes, faith.

The point is not to have it all figured out. It’s just to keep asking. To keep being curious for our lifetimes. This is how we grow. Develop. Become more comfortable with our faith.

We keep being curious.

For the reminder to always be curious, I am very grateful.

Blessings –

Dianne

Holy God – Thank you for helping me understand that being curious is so important. Allow me to establish an attitude of curiosity in my daily living. Allow this space an opportunity to grow in You. Amen.

Looking for a bit of daily inspiration? Check out my daily affirmation posts on Facebook (Dianne Deaton Vielhuber and Simple Words of Faith) or on Instagram (diannedeatonvielhuber.)

If you have enjoyed this blog, please pass it along to someone else who will also enjoy it.