Seek Curiosity
I’ve been listening to a lot of TedTalk Radio Hour while working out, driving, or doing yard work. It’s the perfect length of time for me to stay engaged and have time to listen, learn and marinade on a specific topic. Yesterday I listened to The Source of Creativity (you can listen to the whole thing or just Liz Gilbert’s section, although I highly suggest listening to the entire hour). You might recognize Liz’s name as being the author of Eat, Pray, Love but she’s recently been focused on helping people push past their fear to focus on their creativity.
Although I’ve heard this idea multiple times, it’s currently resonating with me on a stronger level: ‘If you can let go of your passion and follow your curiosity, your curiosity just might lead to passion’. I am a very passionate person for a short amount of time. I’ll often change the entire course of my day to learn more or embrace one sentence that I read that day online. The next day it’s completely gone from my mind. I’ve learned that if I don’t create, write, photograph, or simply DO whatever I’m excited about that day, it will have no interest to me later on.
On the flip side, I have some passions that have always and will always be around but I don’t know how to switch gears and make those my lively hood, nor do I necessarily want them to. Disney is one of my biggest passions and when I had decided to work there for a semester in college, my family was a bit nervous that I would lose the magic I saw in The Mouse. Thankfully my curiosity lead me to follow through and it was one of the best experiences of my life.
I’m currently curious about horticulture. I’m re-doing the landscape to our new home and want to grow my first garden this summer. I’ve checked out books and videos on the best ‘kid friendly’ gardens in hopes to not waste time and money on my latest curiosity. Gardening is not currently a passion of mine but I’m curious what plants work here at this home and what vegetables would be fun for our family to grow. I’m pushing past my fear of wasting money, time and a sore back to learn something new. You only fail if you don’t try.