Dear Reader

Curiosity - again!

I've been thinking of the C Words again! Woke up thinking of the tips people give about how to live to a ripe old age and that one of those tips is to keep curious - one of the C Words I've written of before - but today in a different capacity.

From early childhood I've always been a curious person. I don't think I was one to ask the endless series of "But WHY?" questions.

For me it was often "But WHAT IF?" "What if I did climb the fence/tree?" "What if I don't go to Sunday School this week?" "What if I go to the corner store on the way and spend some of the money that's supposed to go into the collection plate at Sunday School?"

My little mind could ask the questions, but could never get to the end of the matter. I was asking "What would happen if ...?" I soon learned that my questions were a bother to whoever I was asking: my parents, my teachers, my aunties, my religious instruction teachers. So I learned to find the answers for myself.

Now I'm grown, I can see that the restrictions on me were often because of the fears of the adults in charge. For example, my dad lost two of his sisters when they were 16-years-old, perhaps from Rheumatic Fever, which plagued all us cousins. Certainly, their deaths made such an impact on him that he restricted any activity that might pose a danger to his daughters. At the time, though, I was unhappy to be left out of the more adventurous and exciting games of the kids in our neighbourhood.

"Ferocious" Curiosity

They didn't succeed in silencing my inner curiosity, though. In fact, they only succeeded in making me more curious. I'd wonder: "Why are they so impatient with me?" And from that question would come more "What if" questions that secretly I'd explore.

In fact, it wasn't until I was in my 50s that I heard the term "ferocious curiosity" and the admonition to keep it alive within ourselves at all costs. I attended a series of courses by Chris Howard beginning with one called "Breakthrough to Success". Recently, in introducing a new course, From Curiosity to Success: Emulate Your Heroes. he said this:

... Embrace curiosity to transform your aspirations into reality...

Ferociously Following my sense of Curiosity!

How does this manifest in my life today? I am forever the student, loving to learn about our world, the diversity of cultures that make up our human family, and how far I can extend my own self: physically, spiritually, and emotionally.

For example:

I am blessed to be married to Neil, someone who remains forever curious about sciencey things.My regret is, I never studied science. Neil has introduced me to concepts and topics that feed my longing for knowledge. My ferocious curiosity is unleashed in ways I'd never imagined. Currently I'm grapling with String theory (described by Brian Greene in The Elegant Universe) which says that the smallest and most basic unit of all matter is not an atom, electron, quark or any other particle, but a little loop of string. I know I have to take a few steps backwards and learn the basics before I can get familiar enough with this one. And I love that. The more I learn the more I realise there is to learn. What joy!

We belong to our book club, an amazing group. Every month we each choose to read a book with a similar theme and share our thoughts. As I listen, I feel a sense of great pleasure the anticipation of being introduced to new concepts, a new author, a new genre brings. I'm never disappointed.

Finally, this past week we were delighted to have the company of two grandchildren (and their parents) staying with us from Wellington. We love watching and listening to the creative expression these amazing little people display. I often wonder which of these emerging talents will feed their souls into adulthood. Above all, I find joy in their ferocious curiosity about their world and am grateful that their parents are happy to foster and encourage that curiosity.

Where to now for MY ferocious curiosity?

Chronologically, I am in my 78th year. I've often said my life didn't start until I turned 40, having been of the conviction that I'd be dead before I reached that age. When in my late 30s I realised I wasn't going to die, I started to get excited and turned 40 with an incredible wonderment about what the future would hold.

Regardless of my chronological age, my soul age, that part of me that energises the physical me, is only in my 38th year. My body gives me challenges, and I have several wonderful people who help me overcome those challenges. I often pose the question to them: "What advice would you give me if I were 37 years old?" Some rise to the challenge, others just laugh. Regardless, I have that ferocious curiosity to seek the answers, to explore the options, to challenge my own mindset and ask:

"Stephanie, WHAT IF you really are in your 38th year? How would you respond to this long COVID stuff, for example?"

And just in asking the question I feel a renewed enthusiasm for the possibilities of living that long chronological life (at least to 140) and my back straightens, my step is lighter, my eyes glimpse the future, and my heart looks forward to a healthful longevity that will last right up till I draw my last breath. In the meantime, what if I get to have more adventures like this again? What joy to feel this beautiful creature. Maybe the subject of a future newsletter - Me and Reptiles - a love affair?

I look forward to sharing my adventures with you! And what about you? What do you find sparks your own ferocious curiosity? Will you share with me?

Till next time, may you find joy in being ferociously curious in all you do.

With love
Stephanie

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My thoughts for Living Life in 2025 and beyond:

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"Life is a Daring Adventure or Nothing"

Helen Keller

“Write it on my heart that every day is
the best day of the year”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Remember that sometimes not getting
what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck"
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Dalai Lama

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave [person] is not [the one] who does not feel afraid, but [the one] who conquers that fear.”

Nelson Mandela

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