The role of curiosity.
Last night we had dinner with good friends.
Younger.
Fully involved in life.
She is starting a company.
He…adventuring, writing. Making the world a better place.
As I looked at them… listened to them… I again found myself attracted to them. Smitten by who they were.
Their mutual curiosity for life.
And I considered what it was like for them looking back at me.
Was I enough? Doing enough? Curious enough?
What could I teach them? Bring to their world?
I’m not really sure.
In a relationship you have to bring something.
A sustaining appeal. A unique aspect of yourself. A thoughtful view of the world. Experiences to enliven. Talents that teach.
The ability to make their lives…and yours… bigger.
Otherwise, why bother. Why be in this relationship? Or any relationship.
Friends… adult children…your partner.
I think personal curiosity is the trait that is the most appealing. And sustaining. The desire to learn, explore, embrace.
It’s what truly feeds you. And those around you.
Particularly as we age.
As we age, it’s easy to lose our curiosity. Curiosity has to do with moving forward. And older people often are looking backwards. At who they were. The labels they wore. Busy living their children’s lives.
And even if an older person has curiosity, we’re often not motivated to use it. We’re too tired. Spent.
It’s not good.
Curiosity is what moves us forward.
And, one might even say, it’s what keeps us sexy. Appealing.
You want to crawl around in a curious person’s mind. Hang with them. What can they teach you? What portal can they open?
Whether it’s your neighbor. Your best friend.
Your daughter. Or your husband of forty years.
And perhaps most important…if you live a life full of curiosity and exploration…you’ll stay forever young. And never bore yourself.
