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Embrace Curiosity, Connection, and the Beauty of Imperfection in the World
There’s been quite a separation between humans and the rest of nature. I think we were made to believe that we were hear to control and conquer. Our Western history teaches us that God wanted us (Europeans) to go to different lands and take them over. Manifest Destiny was God-given authority to extend from the east of America to the west. Yet, I think we were placed in a garden for a reason. Gardens are made to cultivate, not control. To control, we’ve placed nature as our opposition. We tend to now fear nature rather than embrace it.
That doesn’t mean that the world doesn’t come with its challenges. That also comes into question whether we are placing guilt on the world while not accepting the world for what it is. That’s something to ponder. It’s complex and it takes a lot of contemplation to completely see the calm within the chaos. That means we have to be more curious about our environment and less controlling. By being curious, we start to learn about the patterns that nature holds. I think most of us believe that nature is completely random, but there’s a method to the madness even if we don’t know about it.
Changing Control into Curiosity
Being curious doesn’t just stop with the trees, grass, sky, and clouds. It also includes the people around us. We can’t and should not try to control people. This is probably our biggest mistake as humans. Still, we tend to distrust each other like we distrust a bee. We believe we are going to hurt and our only defense is to hurt it before it hurts us. This is exactly what we do to the people around us. If we can’t learn about the people around us, we’ll never feel safe. Everything and everyone will feel like a threat.
When we lead with curiosity, we start to see the beauty of our world. There’s beauty in the grand things like a rainbow, but there is also beauty in the sun glistening over a spider’s web. We never really take time to look at the beauty of what we did not create because we are too busy with things we did. Again, humans have a bit of narcissism. We make smartphones, cool cars, and big skyrises. Because we’ve made these things, we treat them as more important than the miracle of nature.
We believe since we planted a seed, we’ve grown something, but the seed has nothing to do with us. If it doesn’t have the right soil, the right amount of water, and the right amount of sunlight, what we plant will die. These are things we have no control over in most cases. So in most cases, we see them as inferior. We’d rather look at our custom home screen than take a walk in a place that hasn’t been touched by a human.
Perfectly Imperfect
When we are curious, we also realize how much the world is imperfect. We also receive an acceptance of its imperfection. We realize that everything will not go according to plan because that’s just how life is. There’s no way that we can control what happens to us, just as a deer can’t control what happens to them. Yet, they live without anxiety while we find it hard to. I hope that when we start to learn about the world and its creation, we start to understand how much overlap we have with it. With this new realization, we can find it easier to be at home with it.
Where is Home?
Home is where we feel safe and secure. In our definition, home is where we can lock all of our doors and windows. It’s a place where we can defend our possessions with a fence and a security system. A place where we shut ourselves off from the rest of the world. The more wealthy you become, the easier it becomes to shut yourself off from others. The more we shut ourselves off from others, the more we demean the people we no longer see. If we can find ourselves at home in the world, every place should have a sense of safety. It doesn’t matter if you are in the suburbs or the streets of a major city. We tend to feel unsafe because we tend to judge the environment and the people in it. It typically has nothing to do with the people, but our perception of the people.
Trusting in the world gives us firm footing. Much like any plant, we need to be rooted. If we are not, any issue in the form of wind can blow us away. The deeper the roots, the more we are stable. That’s not just physically stable, but mentally and spiritually as well. We belong to nature, yet we will never know that if we continue to believe that nature is for us to dominate. There are so much more benefits to collaborating with nature than trying to control it. Much is the case with all of life.
Questions and Responses
Why is there a divide between humans and nature?
The separation between humans and nature stems from a long history of control and conquest. In Western history, ideologies like Manifest Destiny framed the natural world—and even other people—as obstacles to conquer. This mindset encouraged us to see ourselves as superior to nature, rather than as collaborators within it. Over time, we began to fear what we could not control, leading us to see nature as something separate, threatening, or inferior.
How can we shift from a mindset of control to one of curiosity?
Shifting to curiosity requires us to approach both nature and people with an open mind, observing patterns instead of trying to dominate or manipulate them. When we become curious, we begin to notice the hidden beauty in everyday things—like the glistening of a spider’s web or the behavior of a bee. Curiosity fosters learning and connection by allowing us to engage with the world as it is, rather than trying to force it to meet our expectations.
What does it mean to find “home” in the world?
To feel at home in the world is to feel a sense of safety, belonging, and acceptance, no matter where we are. Home isn’t just a physical space with locked doors and security systems. It’s a mental state where we feel rooted and connected to life. When we trust the world, we realize that we belong in it, just as every tree, animal, or river does. True safety comes not from shutting ourselves off, but from building trust and embracing imperfection.
Why do humans struggle with trust—both in nature and with others?
Our struggle with trust comes from the fear of the unknown. Just as we fear a bee might sting us, we fear others might hurt us if we let them in. This tendency to preemptively protect ourselves leads to distrust and isolation. We often assume the worst about others, just as we do about nature’s unpredictability. To cultivate trust, we need to become curious instead of defensive, recognizing that not everything and everyone is out to harm us.
How does curiosity help us accept life’s imperfections?
Curiosity allows us to explore life without the pressure to control it. When we look at the world through a curious lens, we begin to see that not everything will go according to plan—and that’s okay. Much like nature, life is filled with unexpected twists, but these moments offer lessons and beauty. Learning to accept imperfection reduces anxiety, helping us find peace in both the chaos and calm of life.
Why do humans value what we create more than nature?
Humans often place more value on things we create—like smartphones, cars, and skyscrapers—because they offer a sense of accomplishment and control. In contrast, the elements of nature, such as soil, sunlight, and water, work on their own terms, beyond our influence. This can make nature seem inferior or less important. However, when we slow down and notice nature’s patterns and gifts, we begin to realize how essential and miraculous it really is, even without our intervention.
What role does anxiety play in our relationship with the world?
Anxiety often comes from trying to control what we can’t. In nature, animals like deer experience fear only when real danger is present, while humans tend to dwell on what might happen. This constant worry disconnects us from the present moment and from trusting the natural flow of life. When we embrace curiosity and acceptance, we begin to see that we don’t need to control everything—and our anxiety starts to loosen its grip.
How can we trust people and the world without being naïve?
Trusting doesn’t mean ignoring risks or blindly believing everything will go perfectly. It means approaching situations and people with openness while maintaining healthy boundaries. We can be curious about others and the world around us without trying to control or judge them. Trusting with awareness allows us to build deeper connections and reduces the sense that everything and everyone is a threat.
Why do wealthy people often feel disconnected from others?
Wealth can create barriers that separate people from one another. The more resources we accumulate, the easier it becomes to insulate ourselves—building physical and emotional walls that shut others out. This disconnection can lead to judgment and mistrust of people we no longer encounter. Trusting the world and embracing connection helps us see beyond these barriers and realize that every person, regardless of background, holds value.
How can being rooted in life give us stability?
Just like plants with deep roots can withstand strong winds, people need strong foundations to remain mentally, emotionally, and spiritually stable. When we develop deep roots—by trusting the world, embracing connections, and accepting life’s imperfections—we become more resilient in the face of challenges. This rootedness helps us feel secure and at home, no matter where life takes us.