Curiosity brings details into focus. When you look at a flower, really look at it, you see amazing things. The flower becomes more than just a generic flower, and your appreciation of it becomes unique and vivid as well.
The Red lily Crown
Curiosity increases your vocabulary. Curiosity about words and language is a writer's most important tool. Why, for example, is castile soap called castile soap? (There happens to be a bottle of castile soap on my counter as I write this.) What is castile soap, anyway? There's a reason for the word, and it takes us on an exotic soapmaking journey from Rome to Aleppo to Spain (there's the "Castile" part) to France and England and the rest of the world.
Curiosity changes the way you see yourself in relation to the cosmos. Look up at the night sky. Be curious about the stars and their patterns. Look up the constellations and realize that you're looking at the same star patterns the Mesopotamians were looking at four thousand years ago.
Curiosity connects you deeply with animals. Watch your pet dog or cat carefully, and be curious about their expressions, their body language, what they do and why. What does it mean? There are, for example, at least three different ways a dog can wag its tail.
Curiosity increases your compassion and understanding. Be curious about what you hear, or news stories you read. Dig for the details, particularly when your first impulse is to disapprove. Form your opinions based on information in depth, not headlines.
Curiosity makes you laugh. Be curious about the most ordinary things, and you will often find yourself amused and delighted. Doing this with a child means double the laughter.
Curiosity alleviates anxiety and those dark moments. When you feel anxious or blue, stop, breathe, and be curious about why you feel the way you do. If you can figure out the why, you may be able to work out a solution.
Curiosity will help you lose weight. No, really! Be curious about what you eat. Read ingredient lists. Eat slowly, taste deeply, and be curious about where your food came from and how the recipes to prepare it were developed. This is related to awareness and mindfulness, but what is mindfulness, after all, but curiosity about how your mind works?
Curiosity enhances your relationships with the people you love. Be curious about their expressions, their body language, their coloring, the things they do and say. Don't just look casually at the surfaces-think about the meanings and ask yourself why?
Curiosity keeps you young. Being curious about everything keeps you from filing people and experiences and objects away under "finished." Look at something familiar. Really look at it, and be curious about it. Why is it what it is? That's the way children look at things, with fresh and curious eyes, and if you do it too, parts of your mind and heart will be young forever.