Curiosity

"It’s easy to underestimate how difficult it is for someone to become curious. For seven, ten, or even fifteen years of school, you are not required to be curious. Over and over and over again, the curious are punished.

I don’t think it’s a matter of saying a magic word; boom and then suddenly something happens and you’re curious. It’s more about a five- or ten- or fifteen-year process where you start finding your voice, and finally you being to realize that the safest thing you can do feels risky and the riskiest thing you can do it play it safe.

Once recognized, the quiet yet persistent voice of curiosity doesn’t go away. Ever. And perhaps it’s such curiosity that will lead us to distinguish our own greatness from the mediocrity that stares us in the face." 

~ Seth Godin, from his book Tribes (thanks to Dr. Bruce Hopper for the recommendation!)