I’ve written about being curious before. I described how I like to analyze things – how they interact, and how things become what they’ve become. Through the years, I found out that being curious turns out helping me avoid being an angry and resentful person. Getting angry is natural instinct for me, but it always lead me in the wrong direction. It will always drive people away. It ruins relationships. It damages self-esteem1. It’s just counter-productive.
I read a blog post, written by Peter Kim, suggesting that perhaps it’s better to be curious, not furious. I don’t have to be angry when someone makes derogatory or hurtful comments. I don’t have to be mad when someone tries to me look bad. Instead, I just need to ask the question “Why are they behaving like this?” My pastor once said, “Hurt people hurt people.” That seems to be applicable in almost every situation. If I’m content and happy, I will naturally project that happiness to everything I do. People will notice that. Personally, I’ve seen it happen: people want to be closer when I’m smiling, jovial, and in a good mood.
Of course, keeping myself calm in a heated situation is quite difficult. My tendency is to lash out, but my experience tells me I must not. So from now on, I will let my curiosity brings out the good in me.
On a lighter note, this animation illustrates how rage can get out of control.
- Either to myself or others [↩]
Tags: emotions, self improvement
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