Curiosity is a natural part of human development. It is how children begin to learn and grow and how all of us continue to expand our emotional and intellectual capacity throughout our lives. Being curious is more than being interested in learning: It involves challenging ourselves to see the world beyond what we might normally be comfortable with.
At Acacia Creek, a Masterpiece Living Certified Center for Successful Aging, we believe that curiosity is an important part of all wellness categories – intellectual, social, physical, and purposeful. If you want to remain engaged with others and relevant as you age, cultivating curiosity is essential. Here are some tips to get started:
- Seek a range of perspectives. Connecting with people of different age ranges and from different backgrounds than our own helps us to gain a greater understanding of how they experience the world, which in turn helps us to develop a greater understanding of ourselves.
- Be willing to take risks. It can sometimes be uncomfortable to have a deep conversation with someone whose beliefs are very different than our own, but challenging our own beliefs is an important component of growth.
- Keep an open mind. Instead of shutting down when your beliefs are challenged, use the opportunity to articulate your own thoughts and explore why you think what you do. The results may surprise you.
When we choose to be curious and learn, we are able to expand our world beyond what we know, and to cultivate a deeper understanding of people who may seem “other” from us in some way.
Our curiosity creates a sense of hopefulness and adventure, which is empowering! It creates more positivity and a greater sense of happiness, which helps us to stay resilient and gives us the ability to handle challenges as they arise.
— By Penny Vittoria, Successful Aging Coach
