There’s a difference between curious and interested. I heard that this morning, and it made an impression. Think about it. Curiosity, I understand, comes from the head. Interest comes from the heart.

The Curious ask to get information. Maybe they want to learn something. Maybe they are nosey and want the scoop. Maybe they want to compare, evaluate, or judge. Asking is for their own benefit in some way.

The Interested are connected to you. Your well-being concerns them. They respect you and want to benefit from your wisdom. The intend to do something productive with the information they receive. Asking means sharing, collaborating in a genuine way.

Next time somebody asks me something, I plan to quick evaluate whether the question comes from a place of curiosity or interest. I like this idea. The curious will get more of a surface-level response, and I’ll stick to vague and politely indifferent. The interested will get a richer response, and I’ll be more inclined to freely share and be engaged.

Should I quibble over everyone’s intentions? Not really. Should I take care not to overshare and protect my heart? Absolutely. I can only control the controllable…and that’s me. I, for instance, am working to cultivate my soul, rid myself of the shrapnel left behind by old traumas and past mistakes, make room for Jesus and light, give abundantly with a good spirit. Does anybody really need to know ALL the details of that besides me? Do I find myself telling stories and rehashing old events to satisfy someone’s curiosity or feed my own ego? Is stirring the pot of bad experiences only keeping them alive so I never afford myself the opportunity to let them go? What exactly am I feeding the The Curious? What will they do with that? And what is it doing for me?

I will always choose The Interested over The Curious, if I allow myself to be aware and make the choice. It feels better already and will serve me well. I highly recommend quiet time to yourself in the morning…mine brought me this gem, and for that, I am grateful.

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