"Seriously? Already!?" I thought to myself.

"Your Password has expired," my computer replied, "please create a new one."

"Whatever," I responded in my head, and typed in my new password.

"Error!" The computer said it again. But this time it seemed oddly louder.

"No way," I contested audibly. I pounded in my new password again.

"Error!" it defiantly repeated.

I glared at the screen for a cold 5 seconds and then deftly checked my password cheat sheet.

"Yep, my new password hasn't been used," I reassured myself, "it should definitely work."

After another menacing glance at the computer screen, I banged the keys according to my new but same-as-the-first-two-times password.

"Error!" it gleefully cried again.

"You stinking…" I bit my tongue. After a few moments I collected myself. Maybe I just forgot to update my password list. Let's try a super brand new, never been tried before password. I was confident I could innovate my way past this 1st world problem.

"ERROR!"

[TAP] [TAP] [TAP]…

"ERROR!"

[FORCEFUL TAP] [FORCEFUL TAP] [FORCEFUL TAP]…

"ERROR!"

[BANG] [BANG] [BANG]…

"ERROR!"

It was time for me to go take a walk anyway.

Upon recollecting myself, I had the brilliant idea to read the "New Password" instructions. Lo and behold…they changed the rules of the game on me and didn't even tell me!

Well, I guess they did tell me. I just… well, the words were really small and… why did they even have to do that? The previous requirements were just fine. I never got hacked.

I doubt I am the only person who ever battled it out with passwords. We've all won and humorously lost some of those battles. But I'm not promoting cyber security or some password manager app. What I am promoting is CURIOSITY. Bet you didn't see that coming, huh?

What does curiosity have to do with password blunders and mental health? A lot actually. When things are not working as they should, and we don’t know why, that is when we must become CURIOUS, not furious, and patiently work to figure out why.

Curiosity Killed the Cat

I know that. You know that. I actually have a funny story about a cat that met a fateful end because its curiosity got the best of him. On second thought, maybe it's not funny if you love cats. So out of respect for you I won't tell the story. But before I dive into how curiosity is borderline virtuous, I will unequivocally say curiosity will get you in trouble if you do not use wisdom, principle and caution.

Ok. Let’s try not to get killed.

Curiosity is a powerful tool for solving mental health challenges. Instead of allowing anger to consume you when things don't go as planned, embracing curiosity can lead to profound insights and help overcome setbacks. It's important to ask "why" and re-assess instead of getting caught up in anger. Success often requires multiple attempts, and failure can provide valuable lessons.

When faced with slip-ups or mistakes, shifting from fury or despair to curiosity about your behavior is crucial. Investigate what might be driving troublesome behavior instead of passing judgment on yourself or others. People's actions are often influenced by unknown factors, such as difficult times or recent setbacks. Cultivating curiosity allows for a deeper understanding of the complexities behind actions. William Arthur Ward is credited with saying, "Curiosity is the wick in the candle of learning." That learning can be in a controlled environment like school or a book, or it can be in the messiness of everyday life. Keep the candle burning.

I remember a conversation with a friend about goals, growth, personal development, etc. Recently, he had gotten off track from his morning routine and was disappointed in himself. It was throwing off his entire day. A cycle was beginning. Because a good day starts the night before, I asked him what time he went to sleep. His reply was, let’s just say, well after midnight. Clearly, that’s a problem. But when I asked him why, I discovered he had gone on a very active trip with his church that previous weekend. He didn’t get home until after midnight Saturday night and then was in church for the morning and evening service! Is it any wonder why the next couple of days were “off”? And of course, because life does not slow down, and culture doesn’t allow it, and energy drinks are so deliciously effective, he never gave his body a chance to recover.

Recovery? We do that in the hospital. Or maybe once or twice a year while on vacation. Or after vacation.

I digress.

Being curios (instead of furious) allowed us to retrace recent events and discover he wasn’t lazy. It wasn’t the devil or anyone else. Curiosity helped him understand why and how he got off track.

Rather than self-criticism after setbacks, we should remain neutral like a GPS tracking device. Recalibrate, learn, and redirect. “Repent!” Jesus said. Understanding vulnerabilities is vital. Pay attention to patterns, emotions, and triggers. Maybe do this through journaling.

Psychology professor Peter Gollwitzer suggests "if-then" scenarios to break destructive habits. Plan ahead with specific actions for challenging situations. For instance, politely declining dessert and suggesting an alternative when cutting out sugar.

These small changes yield significant results. Lasting change occurs through small steps and daily decisions. Embrace curiosity, learn from setbacks, and make conscious choices. It's never too late to start on this path or get back on track. With curiosity, you can pave the way to a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Or you can buy a new keyboard every 3 months.