Curiosity: Lessons from the Road
05.18.24 | 28754
Think about a place where you have been encouraged to be curious. Describe it. What about this place promoted curiosity?
Think about yourself in a classroom scenario. What about this space was or was not helpful for your learning?
How do you best engage with learning new material? What external factors help you feel excited about learning?
If you could learn about anything, what would you choose?
Have you ever experienced wanderlust? What does it feel like? How does wanderlust relate to curiosity?
Are there any specific places that pique your curiosity? Where would you like to visit?
A couple weeks ago, my brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law came down to visit from Iowa. We drove to the mountains of North Carolina (north of Asheville, near Mars Hill, if you’re familiar with the area). We invited them to come visit both because we wanted to see them and because we wanted to explore a new part of the Southeast U.S. together. And explore we did!
We spent much of our time while in North Carolina enjoying the beautiful outdoors – we hiked part of the Appalachian Trail, visited one of the many waterfalls the state has to offer, and spent a good amount of time simply sitting outside, enjoying the trees. We also went to local businesses in Asheville and Mars Hill, took walks, enjoyed the hot tub, and completed a puzzle. It was simple and relaxing – without a schedule, and without any external pressures. It was, I would say, good for the soul.
Being in the mountains also reinforced for me, however, that curiosity is a choice – and it’s not necessarily a choice that we are taught.
On our last day in Mars Hill, I wanted to stop at an overlook that I had seen on the map, which was supposed to offer a beautiful view of the mountains. Everyone chose to humor me, including my partner, who had been doing all the driving to this point and was getting ready to stop being behind the wheel. Little did I know – I had chosen an overlook on the map that was between two exits very far from each other. All told, what I thought would be a quick stop-off to see the view turned out to be about a 20 minute detour.
My travel mates were not happy with me, I don’t think. But by the time we made it back around and onto the interstate, and by the time we stopped for coffee at the next town, we were chuckling about it. It had been silly, yes, but ‘my curiosity had gotten the best of me.’ I suspect I’ll always remember that day’s detour to the scenic overlook – not because it was silly (which it was) – but because I was genuinely curious. I was allowing myself to be curious. So much so that I thought somehow the view would be even better from the other side of the road (it was).
I think there is still learning to be done from this incident. I suspect there was a better way to respond to my partner’s frustrations about driving. I likely could have done more preparation, both with the map and with my partner, to know what we had gotten ourselves into. And I think this learning is also related to curiosity.
Curiosity, for me, is linked to an interest in and commitment to learning across difference. Curiosity as a value requires us to be open to the reality that our own experience is never objective, and therefore never inherently ‘right.’ And learning across difference requires a willingness to be challenged. It requires an understanding that our differing experiences actually enhance our overall learning together. When we remain biased toward our own experiences, we are not being curious. When we prioritize our own experiences, we undercut our ability to learn and grow together.
I’m still learning. I will always still be learning. But I hope that as I move forward, my learning will be more about curiosity than it is about truth. I hope my learning will be focused on asking questions and being open to many answers – because, I believe, that is how we truly all get free, together.
What places inspire you to be curious? I would love to hear. Until next time, friends.