The Power of Curiosity
Can curiosity turn foes into friends? Find out the answer and more through the teachings in the April book pick.
A few months ago, I wrote a post called They Laughed At Me, But I Forgave Them where I shared a disappointing interaction that occurred at a retail store. I had asked a few retail workers about the process for making multiple home deliveries. After a series of clarifying questions, I realized that I phrased my question wrong. However, the retail workers did not work we me to close the communication gap empathetically. Instead, they laughed at me, making me feel small.
I left that encounter feeling disappointed. Is that how they treat all people? They seemed to be the villains of this story. However, I started to wonder about them, their days, their lives, and more. Maybe they had a rude customer before me. Maybe their home lives were stressful. Maybe that day was just an off day.
I didn’t realize it at that time, but these thoughts and questions helped me move past the situation. However, it also helped me humanize the retail workers as well.
This is the power of curiosity.
This week, I want to highlight an incredible public speaker and the author of The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life, Simran Jeet Singh. Recently, I had the privilege to attend a session he led in Austin about building resilience and compassion.
Simran told a story about a frustrating encounter he had with a slow cab driver in New York City. With an upcoming flight, the cab driver’s pace was not easing his mind. Upon arriving at the airport, Simran noticed the driver’s hands were trembling. This observation prompted a flood of empathetic questions about the driver’s life, struggles, and anxieties.
Similar to my story, curiosity transformed the cab driver from being the villain of the story to a fellow human. Curiosity enables us to step outside of our own interests and perspectives, facilitating a deeper understanding of others. We don’t necessarily need answers to our questions, as the act of being curious alone is sufficient. We recognize the humanity in another person, dismantling the “me vs. them” mentality.
Living in a world fraught with division, where differences in opinion or appearance can lead to hate, curiosity becomes invaluable. It helps us build bridges, fostering a society grounded in interconnectedness and peace. When curiosity wanes, so does our sense of humanity.
Book Pick of the Month
The Multicultural Man celebrates cultural diversity and healthy masculinity through storytelling. I aim to amplify culturally diverse values essential to personal and societal well-being. As a new initiative, I plan to highlight one book each month that aligns with the mission of The Multicultural Man.
The April book pick of the month is The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your Life by Simran Jeet Singh.
In Simran’s book, he delves into several accounts of racism directed towards the Sikh community following the September 11 attacks. So, how did he manage to find light during such times of hopelessness?
Chardi kala.
In the Sikh tradition, Chardi kala or eternal optimism encourages finding joy amidst adversity and shedding light on the goodness inherent in humanity. Often, in times of hardship, we become fixated on the challenges, overlooking the goodness that exists alongside. It doesn’t help that we live in a society inundated with distressing news cycle and systemic injustices. How do we find a path forward when faced with such despair? Chardi kala – a concept that holds universal wisdom applicable to all – offers us a guiding light.
Healthy masculinity prioritizes not only one’s own health and well-being, but also that of their community. Simran’s teachings about community, service, and justice in his book serve as an exemplary model of healthy masculinity.
For previous book picks of the month, visit The Multicultural Man website.
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