His body pose confirms delight in discovery. Travelling quickly across the large kitchen floor to the pantry, he reaches to find the shelf that is just above chest high. Spreading the tiny fingers of one hand to completely cover the rim, he rescues a can from that shelf. He moves on his toes back across the floor, the rubber soles of the footy pajamas whispering to the tile. Still holding the edge, he raises the can above the previous one on the stack, sets it down on top, off-center, and releases it. He drops his arm, pauses and steps back for a few seconds before repeating the pattern of activity again and again.

When the tower topples he laughs. Spreading his hand over the top, he targets one can, lifts and carries it quickly to the pantry. Reaching up, he puts it on the shelf. This pattern continues until the cans are all back in the pantry.

Watching this repeating solo activity from across the room, I wonder how to increase my own capacity for curiosity in discovery. This question is my travelling companion on the long solo drive later that day.

Stepping out of the car at the rest area after two hours of driving, I notice my knees are stiff.

A curious person might ask, “What do my knees want to feel?”

The answer from my knees is they want to feel ease, looseness.

Curious question #2 is, “How can I give my knees that feeling right now?”

I recall walking through the horse barns at the fair, watching the horses paw the ground in excitement. I lift one foot, bending my knee, thrust the foot out in front of me as I reach for the ground imitating the motion of the horse. I brush the ground with my toes as I bring my foot back toward my body.  I repeat this motion rapidly for five seconds and there is a release of the stiffness. Still standing by the car, I do this again with the other foot.

Ten seconds later walking into the building is easier.

Discovery creates more curiosity. I will do this tomorrow after sitting to write.

Mentastics Minute – release stiffness in the legs:
Gift the legs with five seconds of rapid movement

– Lift one foot, bending the knee, thrust the foot out in front reaching for the ground imitating the motion of a horse. Brush the ground with the toes while bringing the foot back toward the body.  Repeat this motion rapidly for five seconds, now the other foot.

– Develop capacity for curiosity by asking, “What do my knees/ legs/ feet want to feel right now?” AND “How can I give them that feeling?” Do that motion.