I showed this image to a friend. She commented how it ignited her curiosity to discover what lay around that corner. We reflected back on our own lives -  how much we wished we could see how our next decision would affect our future. Life would be so much easier if we just knew the outcome.

But then I thought about how much I love the bends in the road. When I hike, it’s always the curve in the path that pushes me onward. I say to myself, “I’ll just see what’s around that next bend and then I’ll turn back.” There could be anything around that corner! My imagination gets busy and my feet get movin’.

Once I round the corner there’s another curious bend on the horizon and I am compelled to acquaint myself with its mysteries as well.

If I already knew every inch of the path, would the journey be as exciting? I spend half my hikes gasping in awe and wonder at each new vista displayed before me. Would I fight as hard to reach my goals in life if I already knew what the outcome would be? Without the possibility of another magnificent reveal would I feel as driven to push forward? Is it the outcome that drives us onward or the curiosity to learn what we don’t already know? I’m not sure I know the answer. I do know, however, that there is a certain pleasure derived from the not-knowing.

Curiosity is a great motivator.