Curiosity fuels our inner joy by offering different viewpoints than our first default observation. Using the photo above, what comes to mind? What do you feel in your body? Where do you feel something in your body?
How Curiosity Changed My Perspective
The first night I settled into my North Carolina home, the image above was just like the photo. Yet I didn’t see it. Rather I saw a hideous green security light streaming into my bedroom that ruined my night sky view. The light had been there before, but it wasn’t as high or as bright. My default observation was anger and resentment. As the days went by, my curiosity grew. I stopped by the house and met my neighbors, a lovely family of four who are renting while buying their own lot to build on. The father is a police officer, his marked vehicle a fixture during his off hours.
I never asked about the security light. Afterward, it didn’t seem important. 
In fact, that night was the first time I noticed the heart on my ceiling as I was lying in bed, recalling the day. It was extra bright due to the full moon, which I captured just before. The blue orb I’m so familiar with now has a green hue. If you are familiar with the chakras, green is associated with the heart chakra. Perfect.
Tips for Cultivating Curiosity
The next time your feel sad, angry or upset about something outside yourself, I invite you to try these actions.
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- Excuse yourself to a comfortable, safe location
- Sit, stand or lie down
- Close your eyes or lower your gaze
- Take one or two deep breaths
- Ask yourself, “What am I missing in this situation?”
- Gently open your eyes fully
- Slowly move your head and shoulders back and forth
- Notice the objects in your view, stopping for anything especially pleasing
- Be open to your intuition
- Practice patience with yourself, then others
Curiosity fuels our inner joy when we invite it in.