Curiosity

Trying something new

There are times I relish the thought of trying something new and then there are times when the very mention of change (the familiar) sends shivers of trepidation down my spine.

“Try something new” she wailed “Why do I have to, WHY?”
Thats the sound of the freak out, the fear, and ultimately the lose of depth in my life. When I remain in what always is I become stuck, stale and often get irritable and BORED.
The familiar can be like a soothing bath for me to relax in daily; familiarity breads a sense of safety. I like to feel safe, and there is nothing wrong with it, nothing at all. In fact I believe everyone (animals included) have the right to feel safe. What I want to talk about is being curious, exploring and checking out new ways of being.


I find one of the most powerful ways of doing this for me is during dance. I remember being in a 5rhythms class in Melbourne I attended regularly and the Facilitator suggesting we try to dance in a way we were not familiar with, in a way we don’t usually move. I remember feeling an instant resistance but an immediate curiosity. Of course my inner critic produced fear in me by saying things like
"Don’t listen"
"Why do we have to change ANYTHING?"
"Stick with what you know otherwise you may look silly or fall, or FAIL”
Curiosity got the better of me and I thought to myself “I want to try” (I must say I do like a challenge).
First I tried moving backwards, I felt awkward and silly but I started to giggle (I love it when those spontaneous giggles are birthed from the innocent child within). I kept giggling wondering if I would bump into someone. I wondered what would happen if I did, but I just kept diving in and remaining open. Next I decided to wrap my hand around a wooden up right beam planted in the middle of the dance floor and spin around it like I did when I was little girl at the park. I spun and spun around the beam, throwing my head back laughing softly to myself as I did. I felt so free, so happy, so…ALIVE.
Next I started to stomp my feet on the cool wooden floor boards, feeling the vibration wind it’s way up my spine. Then I noticed something out of the corner of my eye, someone was stomping their feet in the same way as I was. Our eyes met and we both giggled. We made our way over to each other stomping our feet in unison as we went. Once we were face to face we stomped and laughed, circling each other like majestic Apes in the Jungle. We were playing and it felt wonderful. I danced in this way and with this freedom and bliss for the rest of the class.
This was my reward, the reward for trying something new, and I have danced in this way, with this freedom, ever since.
Exploration in a safe space using play and movement allowed me to open up and challenge myself to “try something new” in my world, which was mirrored into my life outside the dance floor. Now I explore many different things that I was once too scared to even contemplate….today I dive in, experience freedom, (even though sometimes I may feel scared)...and I feel ALIVE!

​May you be blessed with the Spirit of curiosity, movement and dance!