Choosing curiosity

 

I haven’t documented the source for a scientific study that I heard about, yet…

 

In this study, rats were given several tunnels to follow. The cheese was always placed at the end of the same tunnel. As a result, the rats quickly learned to find the tunnel with the cheese.

 

Yet, ever so often, maybe one time out of ten, a given rat would go down a different route, a route without the cheese at the end.

 

No matter how many times the cheese was always at the end of the same set of tunnels, sometimes a given rat would explore a different way.

 

Scientists concluded that curiosity and experimentation are built into the behavior of the rats.

 

How sure are you that you're on the best track? Or that another track could bring surprising goodies?

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• Do you travel a different way to work at least one time out of ten?

• Do you say “hello” a different way or to a different person at least one time out of ten?

• Do you make a different request at least one time out of ten?

• How often do you explore new possible big-picture commitments or directions for your life?

• Do ask yourself what you might discover that's even better than what you think you already know?

 

How often do you play with your life and with the dimensions of your life?

 

What might you discover that you don't even know that you don't know?

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If we humans would choose as much curiosity and willingness to try out new things as rats do, we would be astounded at the difference it would make in our lives.

 

Experiment with the choice of courage to lighten up and play with your life by going down new tunnels. One reason this is a choice of courage for many of us is that it doesn't occur as productive and efficient. It can occur as a "waste of time" since most often it may lead to no more than an adventure with no results.

 

Step by step and over time, notice how this practice adds both richness and power to your life. 

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See also Curious?