It's a natural thing to do
I found an interesting article written by Jim Canterucci on amazemagazine.com, an online magazine that I visit frequently (it has recently folded, unfortunately); Jim wrote that it's ok to be curious and to take steps to find out what we want to know more about because it helps us to grow. Sometimes in hesitating, we often regret not doing it. It's not so much the asking of the questions that makes someone hesitate, it's what happens afterwards, perhaps, (my thoughts here) how the person will look, feel, and maybe being perceived as stupid.
I nodded my head in agreement with many things his article said because, being a curious person myself, I ask a lot of questions sometimes. And I have three children of varying ages who love to ask questions and I encourgage them to do so.
In fact, two days ago, my oldest daughter and I were having a conversation where in she told me something and I asked her if she clarified for herself by asking questions to make the information clearer to her, she said no. When I asked her why not, she shook her shoulders and muttered, "I don't know". I know she knows better than that. Upon further discussion with her, she didn't asked because she didn't want to seem stupid or have the other students laugh at her. I then asked her, "now do you regret not asking because now you don't know what it is you're doing?" She said yes.
Of course she knows better than that, not asking that is. But often times we don't like the anxieties asking questions brings forth and we also don't like the attention it gets, often times by some smarty pants who feels they know so much they have to try to show the person asking the question up. Well, I told her, don't worry about people like that. You ask what you need to learn more. And if you need help, come seek me out and we'll find the answer together.
I had a funny (strange) ah ah moment on finding Mr. Canterucci's article, having the discussion with my daughter, and a question I asked earlier today, which I posted. There are moments like those, when you wonder if you should have bothered, because sometimes you get a slap in the face response, directly or indirectly that might make you question yourself. But it's good to ask questions, and it's something I'll continue to do, regardless.
Here's the article:
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Take a Chance and Ask a Question
by Jim Canterucci
When faced with an opportunity there is that small, niggling anxiety that creeps in and can cause us not to take full advantage. It’s not usually the action oriented steps that we regret but rather the situations in which we hesitated and didn’t move forward. The Personal Brilliance catalyst of Curiosity is an important tool. Curiosity helps you clarify problems, ideas, and situations, and it encourages you to explore how they could be different. Actively exploring the environment, asking questions, investigating possibilities, and possessing a sense of both wonder and doubt are all part of being curious. Questions are key.
As evidenced by any two year old, curiosity is a natural trait. What stops us from being curious when the “desire to understand” is clearly an inborn attribute of being human? The answer to this question is somewhat different for everyone, but there are some common curiosity barriers that many people come up against. These barriers include fear of the unknown, entrenched beliefs, insecurity, apathy, and avoidance. The magic with curiosity is that once you start to break through the barriers, you can quickly return to a state of child-like wonder and questioning.
Albert Einstein, one of the most innovative thinkers in history, said, “The most important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.” Your outcomes are greatly determined by the quality of the questions you ask yourself and others. Heightening your curiosity improves the quality of your life. People who are curious are open to thousands of potentialities and therefore increase their power to find the best solutions, the most lucrative offers, and the most creative ideas. Rather than being entrenched in their current beliefs, they withhold judgment, knowing that the last chapter has yet to be written. Does this sound like you?
The power that heightening your curiosity can create in your life is truly unlimited. When you put past judgments aside, you come up with some of your most innovative ideas. Dare to explore an idea. You may choose not to move forward, but the key is that the choice is yours
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Upon further reading and searching, I found out that Jim is a professional speaker, CEO, Author, Advisor, with lots of different Credits to his name! No wonder his article was so good! Link
And a link to the above copied article,
Link
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I'll have to check that website out some more!