In Curious? Discover the Missing Ingredient to a Fulfilling Life by Todd Kashdan, the author argues that the pursuit of happiness involves living a meaningful and fulfilling life and to do that, we must always be curious.
Curiosity is about asking questions constantly. It's about being open to the fact that everything you think is right might be wrong. It's about seeking novel experiences and not getting trapped in routine. We are on fire when faced with new experiences and are dulled when when we live the mundane day after day.
You have all heard the sayings, "You are what you eat." "You are what you read." "You are what you think." "You are what you own." Well, social psychologist Sylvan Tomkins said,
"I am, above all, what excites me." We grow as humans by being curious
enough to find what excites us. We can do this inwardly by getting to
know ourselves. We can do this by seeking out intimate connections with
others. And we can do this by asking questions about the world around us and involving ourselves in new pursuits.
What does this have to do with people who have intellectual disabilities? Well, are they introduced to new experiences and people each day or are they faced with the same routine as the day before? As staff who support them to achieve the things they want in life, are we observing and listening to what excites them and then helping them to explore, or are we trying to have them conform to what is easiest to manage?
No doubt, we all find solace in structure and daily routine. But in between the activities that bring us comfort, we will be happiest by exploring.
As always, what's good for any human is good for all humans, disabilities or not.
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