Being Curious

I learn so much from my two cats Banjo and Lucky because they are curious about everything. If I bring a paperbag in that they haven't seen, or a new piece of funiture, or new clothes they have to check out anything that is different. They love it when I open the curtains in the mornings, and they can look outside and watch the squirels and birds from the big windows in my apartment.

Often times I forget and am rushing around trying to get ready for work, packing my lunch, and my cats want attention. I am thinking about all of the work that I have to do that day, all of my responsibilities, all of the things that might not go as planned. My cats are only concerned about the present moment. I think that is where many of us get stuck. We see life as a problem to be solved, and not as a present moment to be celebrated.

Just taking this one breath should be a celebration. . . because we do not know how many breathes we have. We were put on this earth to experience joy, to have wonderful exciting experiences, and to see the beauty in our days.

I have been reading about the importance of play, and the way some children and some adults have never been given the chance to play. Play is an important part of being curious, and also an important part of developing into healthy individuals. I like what Fred Donaldson says in his book Playing By Heart, "Play is an invitation to unlearn, to be a beginner." That is great news to all of us perfectionists out there. We don't have to be an expert artist, dancer, writer, singer or anything else to try it out.

Let's just be curious. If someone asks you why you are taking lessons in writing poetry say, "I'm curious about it." We can be like the furry little cats who see everything in the present moment as new and exciting!! Let's bring some joy into our lives and into other people's!

Peace