Curiosity fulfilled the cat

The power of curiosity, and the fulfilment it can bring, even in the most emotional of moments, writes Simon Hall...

I hate the saying curiosity killed the cat.

For me curiosity is a wonderful trait, without which I would never have enjoyed so many amazing experiences in life.

 

I'm thinking about this now, because I've just done something which I've been gathering the courage to do for many months, perhaps even years.

I've been to a pub. 

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But not just any pub. The Bedford Arms is the pub where I was born. 

It's in the village of Oakley, near Bedford, perhaps 30 miles from Cambridge. 

It took some courage to do, because the place has very mixed memories for me.

Some good, childhood happiness and innocence etc. Others less so, arguments and punishments, a growing sense of wondering about your place in the world.

Such moments also always trigger self reflection by the score. Have I fulfilled my potential? Made the right choices? Made the most of the great gift of life?

 

Anyway, it took about ten minutes of standing outside before I was able to go in. And wow - I remembered so much, largely as it was 50 years ago. 

The corners where I used to hide, the bar where I would reach up to be given shandy to drink, the garden where I used to play.

But that's not the point of this story - 

 

As it was so emotional, I took quite a while walking around, touching the old stone walls, taking photos, closing my eyes and letting the memories run...

All of which was observed by the staff. Who showed absolutely no curiosity whatsoever regarding why. 

Which was fine, I know I can look weird and not wise to approach, but it was also a shame.

Because they clearly had an interest in the history of the place, given some of the photos on the walls, including from the time I was there:

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And on my phone I'd brought some other old photos that the staff would have been welcome to, if only they had only asked. 

Which does, you'll be glad to hear, bring me to the point of this blog.

 

Curiosity is a magnificent trait. Without it, in just a few seconds of a brain dump, I wouldn't have...

Started DJing at University ~ gone into the media ~ worked for the BBC ~ found the Ted Hughes memorial on Dartmoor, one of my favourite quests ~ seen the total eclipse of 1999, live and in person ~ revealed lots of important stories through good investigative work ~ written books ~ travelled across Europe talking about them ~ taught writing and media careers ~ helped all the students and aspiring writers I have ~ taught at the University of Cambridge ~ run my own business ~ learnt so much and met the remarkable people that's introduced me to ~ plus so many other things, and, in general...

Discovered so much about the world, and myself, and enjoyed so many amazing experiences. 

 

I'll stop now. But suffice to say:

Without inquiry and discovery, what happens to innovation, progress and personal growth?

Curiosity doesn't kill the cat. Curiosity fulfills the cat. 



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