|  Blog Post   |  choose to get curious

choose to get curious

What do they fear?

What and who do they love?

I wonder what connective tissue could be forged if we chose to wonder about one another more than react to one another.

When we are feeling frustrated, exasperated, angry, disappointed, and even hurt by someone, rather than reacting from these emotions, we chose to get curious.

Dare I say lovingly curious about what is behind the words or actions that we are finding frustrating, exasperating, angering, disappointing, and hurtful?

Not to make excuses for. Not to allow hurt.

Rather, to create the space for connection and to seek understanding of one another.

Because perhaps it is here that we are able to set healthy boundaries, know where we end and they begin, ask for what we want and need, and walk one another through it, even if at times from afar.

There is so much to be in an uproar about these days, and I am tired. I suppose it is these questions of what we fear and love most that are helping me remember that we have way more in common than we don’t, remembering one another’s humanity and choosing connection because it’s the salve that we all desperately need.

Author:

A Licensed Professional Counselor, Justine Froelker has over 25 years of experience in mental health, personal growth, and professional development. For eleven years, she was certified in Dr. Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability, courage, and empathy. Justine now shares her own curriculum, Courage is Built Here™. This transformative program empowers individuals to live and lead with self-awareness, authenticity, and resilience, building a foundation for courage-centered leadership. In addition to writing her blog since 2013, Justine is an accomplished author of twelve books—including five Amazon bestsellers—Justine has written across genres, from children’s books to in-depth explorations of infertility, faith, grief, and leadership. She has delivered two TEDx Talks, The Permission of the And and The Donut Effect, which highlight her unique perspective on navigating life’s complexities with grace. Justine is a sought-after speaker who travels nationally and presents virtually to global audiences, delivering keynotes, workshops, retreats, and trainings on topics such as leadership, resilience, mental health, coping with burnout, courageous and curious conversations, and fostering cultures of inclusion and belonging. Justine lives in St. Louis with her husband Chad and their two dogs, Gertie and Winston. You’ll often find her volunteering at Wild Bird Rehabilitation—supporting the medical team and feeding hundreds of tiny, hungry babies during baby bird season. And during butterfly season, her home comes alive with the flutter of wings as she raises hundreds of monarch and swallowtail butterflies.

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