When Accenture invited me to share my life’s journey and lessons at their monthly “Courageous Conversations” series last year in August, I was both honored and excited. It was an honor to speak to an audience of over 150 Accenture staff from around the world, marking their best turnout to date.

As I reflected on my experiences, I realized that my path could be encapsulated in what I call the “5 Cs of Conscious and Courageous Living”:

Cultivating Curiosity, Connecting Deeply, Creating Havens, Challenging Norms, and Communicating Stories.

At the heart of CoCube is helping others with their stories—whether the past ones through COunselling, the future ones through COaching, or even a brand’s narrative to its target audience through COmmunications strategy. Therefore, it felt apt to use the opportunity to explain the five Cs in brief using the story metaphor, aligning with the core of CoCube.

5Cs and Stories

Each of these Cs represents the lessons from the stories in my life, a part of the unfolding narrative that makes me who I am. They are the building blocks of my experiences, the catalysts of my growth. I felt it might help to share them with others as an integral part of my journey so far. Lets see:

• Cultivating Curiosity—Think of our stories like books. With curiosity, we keep adding pages, discovering more about ourselves. It is like rereading a favorite chapter and finding something new each time.

• Connecting Deeply – Our stories get richer when we connect with others. Imagine watching your favorite movie with a friend; it feels better, right? Real connections help our stories make sense and feel special.

• Creating Havens or Safe Spaces – We all have stories we’re unsure about or ones that hurt. Safe places are like cozy reading nooks; they let us and our loved ones take a breather, heal, and maybe even start a new story.

• Challenging Norms – Don’t just go with the flow; sometimes, we’ve got to swim against the tide whether consciously or otherwise. This way, we make stories that are truly ours, ones that break the mold.

• Communicating the Stories – Ever told someone your story and felt lighter or inspired someone? Talking about our stories helps us learn from them. And who knows, they might help someone else too.

And today, I want to dive into the first and arguably the most fundamental C: Cultivating Curiosity.

Curiosity: The Spark That Ignites the Fire of Wisdom

Curiosity is the engine that propels us forward in life. It’s the voice inside us that whispers, “I wonder…” and the force that compels us to turn the page, to start a new chapter, to embark on a new adventure. As the renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson once said, “We are all curious. It’s part of what makes us human.”

But curiosity is more than just a passing fancy or a fleeting interest. It’s a way of engaging with the world, a mode of being that opens us up to new possibilities and perspectives. When we cultivate curiosity, we don’t just acquire knowledge; we gain wisdom. We don’t just learn facts; we understand truths.

The Power of Curiosity

1. Beyond Mere Knowledge

In a world saturated with information, curiosity is the key that unlocks the door to wisdom. It’s not enough to simply gather facts; we must seek to understand their deeper meaning and application. Think of it as the difference between memorizing the ingredients of a dish and comprehending how those flavors blend to create a culinary masterpiece. Curiosity empowers us to turn knowledge into wisdom. It drives us to ask not just “what,” but “why” and “how.”

It pushes us to look beyond the surface, to question assumptions, and to connect the dots in new and innovative ways. By cultivating curiosity, we transform mere knowledge into practical wisdom that enriches our lives and the lives of those around us.

2. Gateway to Perspectives

Curiosity is a passport to new worlds of thought and understanding. When we approach life with an open and inquisitive mind, we invite diverse viewpoints and narratives into our consciousness. We begin to see the world through a kaleidoscope of perspectives, each one offering a unique lens through which to view reality. By exploring these different angles, we gain a more holistic understanding of the complex tapestry of human experience.

Imagine stepping out of a familiar art gallery and into a street art exhibition. At first, it might seem foreign and unsettling, but curiosity invites us to linger, to question, and to ultimately uncover new depths of expression.  In the same way, embracing diverse perspectives deepens our understanding of humanity and strengthens our capacity for empathy. Curiosity makes us more empathetic, more tolerant, and more attuned to the nuances and beauty of the world around us.

3. Fuel for Personal Evolution

At its core, curiosity is the engine of personal growth. It’s the innate thirst for wisdom that propels us forward on the journey of self-discovery. When we cultivate curiosity, we embrace a mindset of continuous learning and evolution. We become explorers of our own inner landscapes, constantly pushing the boundaries of what we know and who we are. By challenging our assumptions and seeking out new ideas and experiences, we expand our horizons and unlock new dimensions of our potential.

Recall the thrill of puzzling through a challenging book or mastering a new skill. That spark of excitement is the ember of curiosity, ignited by the possibilities of discovery. With every answered question, curiosity sparks a new one, propelling us down a path of boundless personal evolution. It is the fuel that keeps the fire of personal growth burning bright.

My Journey of Curiosity

In my own life, curiosity has been the guiding star that has led me to some of my most transformative experiences. When I was 20, I decided to learn Spanish and then study for a semester in Mexico as an exchange student. Immersing myself in a new culture through the power of language and the curiosity for the culture, I gained invaluable insights about life and people by being able to converse with the locals- whether the always chatty taxi drivers or my fellow students. It also helped a great deal to further deep-dive into South America while backpacking over half a year in 2016. I remember the sense of accomplishment in being able to have deep conversations, even with my passable Spanish, about religion, politics and culture with our Couchsurfing host in Bariloche, Argentina.  

Fast forward to 2019, and my thirst for stories and knowledge, combined with my passion for food and travel, led me to shoot a docu-series called “Humans of Indian Kitchens.” I traveled all over India, documenting and capturing the stories and recipes from home kitchens. It was a journey of discovery, not just of culinary delights, but of the rich treasure box of human experiences. Curiosity didn’t just lead me to new places; it also led me to new skills, too. I learned how to shoot and edit videos on the job, purely because of my curiosity for the art of storytelling.

Now, I find myself pursuing an MSc in Psychology and Neuroscience of Mental Health at King’s College London. The taste I got from my PG Diploma in Counseling Psychology left me hungry to dive deeper into the topics of behavior and the biology of mental health. And the fact that it will help me serve my clients even better, is just the cherry on the cake.

The Science of Curiosity and How to Cultivate It

Curiosity isn’t just a feel-good notion; it’s a scientifically validated pathway to growth and well-being. Studies have shown that curiosity is associated with higher levels of positive emotions, lower levels of anxiety, more satisfaction with life, and greater psychological well-being [1].

Moreover, curiosity has been found to be a key driver of learning and memory. When we are curious about something, our brains release dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a crucial role in motivation and memory formation [2]. In other words, when we follow our curiosity, we are priming our brains to learn and grow.

So, how can you cultivate curiosity in your own life? Here are a few tips:

1. Ask questions. Lots of them. Curiosity starts with a question, whether it’s “Why?” or “How?” or “What if?”
2. Seek out new experiences. Step out of your comfort zone and try something new, whether it’s a new food, a new hobby, or a new place.
3. Read widely and voraciously. Books are gateways to new worlds and ideas. Read outside your usual genres and interests.
4. Engage in deep conversations. Don’t settle for small talk. Ask people about their stories, their passions, their insights.
5. Embrace the unknown. Don’t be afraid of what you don’t know. See it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

As I conclude this exploration of the first C, I invite you to reflect on your own relationship with curiosity. How has it shaped your life? Where has it led you? And where might it take you next?

Stay tuned for the next installment, where we’ll dive into the second C: Connecting Deeply. Until then, keep asking questions, keep seeking answers, and keep writing the story of your life, one curious chapter at a time.

References:

1. Kashdan, T. B., Rose, P., & Fincham, F. D. (2004). Curiosity and exploration: Facilitating positive subjective experiences and personal growth opportunities. Journal of Personality Assessment, 82(3), 291-305.
2. Gruber, M. J., Gelman, B. D., & Ranganath, C. (2014). States of curiosity modulate hippocampus-dependent learning via the dopaminergic circuit. Neuron, 84(2), 486-496.