Love this! Curiosity is a powerful tool for creating, for connecting, and too, I’ve learned, for healing.
In the IFS framework of therapy, to lead ourselves well (self-leadership), it posits there are 8 Cs, once of which is curiosity — and it’s often the first one I lean into it I’m struggling because curiosity can be gentle and I’m naturally fully of questions.
I’m still learning, though, that sometimes there don’t have to be answers — that the ask itself is the point at which the greatest return comes, not the resolution.
Yes, yes, and yes, Kristine. Thanks for sharing this. I wasn't aware of the 8 c's or that one of them was curiosity. And I love the connection of curiosity and gentleness with ourselves. I think that younger part of myself craved the predictability and safety of clear answers but the grown-up, healed-ish version of me can more easily embrace my curious side.
I love that about you, Shannon. I think our family did encourage curiosity. The main reason we homeschooled all those years was to cultivate a love of learning rather than just answers on tests. We followed their interests and passions. We learned new things together.
Maybe I didn't know to call it curiosity until recently. And maybe I'm more comfortable with a wider range of curiosity. And I embrace mystery a little easier, too.
What a fun read about your daughter’s question and though I know it can get a little frustrating it’s good she hasn’t stop being curious and asking questions. My niece and her new boyfriend recently visited me. At first, he annoyed me with his questions, but then I realized he was genuinely interested, and it turned out to be a good challenge for me as well. I was ended up learning some new stuff, lol.
Love your reflections on the visit from your niece and her boyfriend, Susan. My daughter and I tease each other about the deep conversations we get into any time we get together. Always pondering life. Some of her questions will be lifelong questions!
I meant to include this Rilke quote in my post: "Be patient towards all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will find them gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer."
What a beautiful post! I used to be a preschool art teacher and the book “ish” was amazing to read to my little artists!! I have a whole collection of favorite preschool/children’s books and to be honest those are the ones that open my eyes a bit wider with my art!! Happy to have found you here on s/s! ~ellen
Thanks Ellen! I miss the early days when we would spend so much time in the picture book section of the library. I need to take myself on a date to that section of the library again! Or at least revisit the ones on my shelf. So glad to hear the you love ISH too.
Love this! Curiosity is a powerful tool for creating, for connecting, and too, I’ve learned, for healing.
In the IFS framework of therapy, to lead ourselves well (self-leadership), it posits there are 8 Cs, once of which is curiosity — and it’s often the first one I lean into it I’m struggling because curiosity can be gentle and I’m naturally fully of questions.
I’m still learning, though, that sometimes there don’t have to be answers — that the ask itself is the point at which the greatest return comes, not the resolution.
Yes, yes, and yes, Kristine. Thanks for sharing this. I wasn't aware of the 8 c's or that one of them was curiosity. And I love the connection of curiosity and gentleness with ourselves. I think that younger part of myself craved the predictability and safety of clear answers but the grown-up, healed-ish version of me can more easily embrace my curious side.
It’s so interesting to read your thoughts on curiosity. In our family, curiosity is something we’ve tried to encourage in each of our daughters!
I love that about you, Shannon. I think our family did encourage curiosity. The main reason we homeschooled all those years was to cultivate a love of learning rather than just answers on tests. We followed their interests and passions. We learned new things together.
Maybe I didn't know to call it curiosity until recently. And maybe I'm more comfortable with a wider range of curiosity. And I embrace mystery a little easier, too.
What a fun read about your daughter’s question and though I know it can get a little frustrating it’s good she hasn’t stop being curious and asking questions. My niece and her new boyfriend recently visited me. At first, he annoyed me with his questions, but then I realized he was genuinely interested, and it turned out to be a good challenge for me as well. I was ended up learning some new stuff, lol.
Thanks for sharing the ISH prompt, I love them 😍
Love your reflections on the visit from your niece and her boyfriend, Susan. My daughter and I tease each other about the deep conversations we get into any time we get together. Always pondering life. Some of her questions will be lifelong questions!
I meant to include this Rilke quote in my post: "Be patient towards all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will find them gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer."
Glad you liked the ISH prompt!
Your experience really resonates with and encourages me. Thank you for sharing!
So glad to hear it!
What a beautiful post! I used to be a preschool art teacher and the book “ish” was amazing to read to my little artists!! I have a whole collection of favorite preschool/children’s books and to be honest those are the ones that open my eyes a bit wider with my art!! Happy to have found you here on s/s! ~ellen
Thanks Ellen! I miss the early days when we would spend so much time in the picture book section of the library. I need to take myself on a date to that section of the library again! Or at least revisit the ones on my shelf. So glad to hear the you love ISH too.