Sacred Curiosity
Curiosity is one of our greatest gifts. As we journey on the good road, we meet so many people with an array of experiences and powerful life stories.
On Wednesday, I found myself in a room with 20 young people who in a few weeks will start careers as school teachers. As part of a four-person panel, I was asked to reflect on politics and collaboration in the city of Milwaukee. Our conversation reminded me of the power of being curious about each and every person we encounter. I shared how, in my organizing career, we found some of our greatest allies because we always strove to engage in real conversation with each person and their stories.
One of my foundational moments regarding the deep value of curiosity happened in Maryland more than 25 years ago. A few members of the local organizing group I worked with and I were meeting with an iincredibly wealthy, conservative power broker. This leader challenged my imagination when she shared her story of her parents emigrating from Ireland. As a result, she felt a deep need to support individuals and families who faced similar struggles. I entered the conversations with a number of flawed assumptions about who she was and what was important to her. Thankfully,, we suspended judgment and entered the conversation with curiosity just as I believe she did. She became one of our greatest allies.
During my time in Milwaukee, my curiosity led me to encounter more people full of vigor and vision despite all the difficulties they had faced:
A grizzled city bureaucrat who found that the group of people with whom I worked shared his passion for building thriving neighborhoods in Milwaukee.
A retired businessman who lights up with joy when working with young volunteers at a local nonprofit.
The veteran reporter with the twinkle in his eye and the sense of joy when discussing this city.
In each instance, it would have been easy to assume each of these individuals were tired and frustrated. Yet, in meeting each of these people, I was taught again and again how important it is to enter each and every conversation with fresh curiosity about others’ passion and drive and belief in the community where they live. Seeing their spark reignited my passion for the world around me. Now recollecting those sparks, I realize the hope of our faith.
So on Wednesday, as we spoke with these young teachers, I wanted to know each of their stories. I wanted to know: What led them to teaching? What are their passions and their dreams? What challenges have they faced? What gives them hope? I hope to have those conversations some day.
At the same time, I wanted to make sure these young teachers have the chance to get to know Milwaukee deeply. To learn the stories of this amazing city and build relationships with the array of beautiful people who live here.
In our faith tradition, I think of this as fully walking the good road: to be curious about each person as a child of God, to see the sacred weaved throughout the people and places we encounter, and to seek the “welfare of the city”.