Don't Shy Away, Curiosity versus Bias, Dogs and Cats
Good Morning from Prince Edward Island,
Do you have time for tea today? I'd join you if you want to share a pot of tea.
“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” ~ C.S. Lewis
The last few days I was curious as to what I might want to write about today. I pulled on the thread, and curiosity it is.
Curiosity may have killed the cat, but the good news is we are not cats!
Being told when I was five years old that I was adopted explained a sixth sense I had about not belonging, so I was truly grateful. It also opened my mind to be curious about life at a young age.
I have always particularly curious about human behaviour. I love people, though there are times when they confuse me. There are times when I confuse me.
I am always interested in why do we do the things we do.
“Judge a man by his questions rather than by his answers.” — Voltaire
A friend from out west who I had not seen in 20 years came by our restaurant for dinner with his family this summer. He is in his mid-eighties but of young spirit and mind. Even after several heart attacks and cancer battles.
I asked him what he felt kept him so young in attitude and appearance. His response was interesting.
"Bruce, I try to have the mind of a little boy, I am curious about everything, this keeps me alive and moving forward."
Curiosity is refreshing. You cannot use it up. The more curious you are today about something specific or in general, the more likely you are to be curious in the future. Brian Glaser ~ Movie Producer
What keeps us from being curious?
Bias.
“Incredibly, the priming of actions and thoughts is completely unconscious; we do it without realizing.” ~ Daniel Kahneman
Webster's Dictionary defines bias as "a mental leaning or inclination; partiality; prejudice; bent."
Each of us has our own likes and dislikes, preferences and preconceptions. We all have "things or people" that make us feel angry, uneasy, or uncomfortable.
Do we take the time to challenge ourselves, "why do I feel that?"
Bias can damage relationships and opportunities to learn and grow.
Where curiosity can do the exact opposite.
“We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.” — Walt Disney
Be curious about those things that shed light, not the kind that encourages and spreads gossip.
It is impossible to end bias. But we can challenge our bias.
When we challenge it with abandon, we learn so much.
Not doing so we become intellectually dead. Once the curious mind stops dare I say, happy living does as well.
“We all operate in two contrasting modes, which might be called open and closed. The open mode is more relaxed, more receptive, more exploratory, more democratic, more playful and more humorous. The closed mode is the tighter, more rigid, more hierarchical, more tunnel-visioned. Most people, unfortunately, spend most of their time in the closed mode.” — John Cleese
Last weekend, I spoke to 45 Buddhists from Taiwan about my life and how the Christian world view has and is helping me.
"Where there is love, there is no judgement. Where there is judgement, there is no love. While you are here may we experience nothing but peace." These were my opening words.
I enjoy my hospitality career. The opportunity to show love and compassion to individuals is available daily. Through the simplest of actions and sharing words of kindness.
While writing I have been listening to J.S. Bach: Goldberg Variations (one of my favourites) being played beautifully by Simone Dinnerstein. Sample listen here.
Thank you for taking the time to be with me this morning and I hope this encourages curiosity. Curious about your bias and a letting go of judgement. Know why what you believe.
A great short TED video, Don't Shy Away from Ignorance - use it to better yourself.
“Watch your thoughts, they become your words; watch your words, they become your actions; watch your actions, they become your habits; watch your habits, they become your character; watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” ~ Lao Tzu
With love from Prince Edward Island,
Bruce
ps.
What do you call a dog that won’t come when you call it, refuses to sleep in its bed, and seldom wants to play?
A cat.
Leave a comment