Curiosity: Questioning What You Know Can Help You Find Your Purpose

Have you ever heard the expression “Curiosity killed the cat”? It’s a strange expression, but the idea behind it is that curiosity can lead you into a potentially dangerous situation — curiosity is not safe. This one, odd phrase has been leading people away from thinking curiously for centuries. Living according to this phrase is unfortunate. If one lives their life without curiosity, they are living without one of the key elements of true genius.

If one lives their life without curiosity, they are living without one of the key elements of true genius. - Ailson J. De Moraes

Curiosity is simply defined as “the desire to know and learn about anything.” (Dictionary.com) I would like to expand on that definition by adding that curiosity as an insatiable approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning. If you live a life rooted in curiosity, you will always want to know more. In addition, you will never be fully satisfied with any answer you receive, because you will believe that there is always more that can be learned.

Albert Einstein, one of the most well-known geniuses of all time, revolved his life around the concept of curiosity. Einstein noted the importance of curiosity in the human mind when he stated: “I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious.” (Top 21 Albert Einstein Quotes). Einstein’s inventions and life prove that when you set out to find the answers to every question you have, certainly good things will come from it. An article published by Anderson University on the subject of curiosity outlined Donald Latumahina’s four reasons for why living curiously is important: It makes your mind active instead of passive, it makes your mind observant of new ideas, it opens up new possibilities, and it brings excitement into your life.

I have no special talent, I am only passionately curious.  – Albert Einstein

For children, curiosity comes naturally, but because of the standardization and rigidity of most school systems, this innate gift gets erased, or at the very least buried. Sir Ken Robinson, the famous TED speaker and British author, says that “creativity is important as literacy” and that “imagination is the source of every form of human achievement,” but, unfortunately, “it’s the one thing that … we are systematically jeopardizing in the way we educate our children and ourselves.” This is why curiosity has become a skill that must be re-learned, consciously and carefully developed. If you are looking to develop a curious mind that will lead you to your creative genius, you can start by understanding that great minds ask questions. This is in fact exactly what Socrates is famous for teaching. To lead a life of creative genius, you must question everything you know in order to develop your own knowledge and opinions on subjects. You cannot allow the government, corporations, church, or even those family members and friends that are near and dear to think and develop your opinions for you. By blindly following information and opinions from others without asking your own questions regarding the subject, you allow your brain to become complacent, hindering your own growth and, at risk of being too blunt, completely wasting your entire life.

Curiosity has become a skill that must be re-learned, consciously and carefully developed. - Ailson J. De Moraes

Sir Ken Robinson, the famous TED speaker and British author, says that “creativity is important as literacy” and that “imagination is the source of every form of human achievement,” but, unfortunately, “it’s the one thing that … we are systematically jeopardizing in the way we educate our children and ourselves.

To get started on your journey to unique genius through curiosity you can begin by asking yourself some of these questions.

Who are my most inspiring role models?

What is my heart’s deepest desire?

What legacy would I like to leave behind?

These questions will allow you to think deeply about your life and lead you to question the values you hold, how they were developed, and why you consider them important. This type of intrinsic curious thinking encourages you to explore every area of your life, expanding your mind in ways that you never thought possible. This type of thinking leads to developing your true identity and therefore leads you to a finding a fulfilling purpose within your life, one that uses your genius the way it’s intended to be used!

To Your Masters, Ailson