We’ve all heard the expression – Curiosity Killed the Cat. My question is, DID curiosity kill the cat?
We take so many things at face value without really looking more closely at them. Expressions. Standards to live by. How we do our jobs. Without even knowing it, many of us live by that expression. We aren’t curious. We don’t ask questions. We don’t look for the “why” the “how” of what is around us.
My good friend Barbilee and I have been doing a book study of The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth by John C. Maxwell together since the start of the year. This week’s chapter was on curiosity. The book discusses how important it is to be curious in order to grow, to reach our potential, and, simply, to enjoy our lives to the fullest.
In the chapter, there is an anecdote of a little girl who keeps peppering her mother with questions. Whether you have kids or not, I’m sure you’ve experienced the curious 3 year old who makes you crazy – and maybe feel a little stupid – with all their questions. Finally the mom says “Stop asking so many question. Curiosity killed the cat?” After a moment the little girl asks, “So what did the cat want to know?”
As I was reading the chapter I wondered, was I ever that curious? In my memory I’ve never been much of a question-asker. I spent my whole time in school afraid to ask questions. I would sit stuck on something until, thankfully, someone else got stuck and asked the question I needed the answer to. I never seemed to have any questions in job interviews – other than the all important pay.
Thanks to my conversation with Barbilee, I realized that there’s more to curiosity than questions. Certainly questions are important. How can I make this better. How does this work. Why is this not working and how can I make it better? However, even without necessarily asking those questions, I do seek answers.
Where am I curious?
- I love to try new things. I’m usually one of the first to jump in when there’s a chance to do something new.
- I look for solutions to problems whether they be personal, professional or emotional.
- I love to learn about people. I admit I’m often at a loss for what questions to ask, however when I’m really present with someone I see beyond their words and learn a lot.
- I like to grow. One of my fears is being stagnant. I want to keep expanding and discovering.
- I have an inherent need to learn. If I’m not learning something concrete – even if it makes me uncomfortable at the start – I feel a lack of purpose.
After having this conversation and thinking more about curiosity, I realize that it’s not curiosity that kills the cat – or The Bad Kitty – it’s lack of curiosity. Did curiosity kill the cat? Certainly not! Lack of curiosity kills. If you’re not growing, you’re dyeing. It’s a fact of life.
In what ways are you curious in your life? How can you develop your curiosity?
My intentions are:
- take a class in something that interests me that I don’t have an obvious aptitude for. I tend to shy away from things that I don’t think I’ll be good at. And I’ve been surprised many times in my life by hidden attributes. I’m thinking, perhaps, martial arts.
- ask more questions. Observe people who are great askers and learn from them. Ask questions – even if I’m afraid it might make me look stupid.
I hope you will be a curious Kitty with me.
Have a PURRfect day!
Christie Mawer – The Bad Kitty
thebadkittyis@gmail.com