Curiosity Over Fear: A Mouse’s Lesson on Mindset

Dec 23, 2024

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The other day, something magical and unexpected happened during our trip to the aquarium. Julian, the little boy I babysit, suddenly exclaimed, “Mouse! MOUSE!” Naturally, his mom and I rushed over, curious to see what he was so excited about. And there it was—the tiniest, cutest mouse you could imagine, darting in and out of a piece of trash. It was almost like it was playing peek-a-boo with us, right there on the pavement outside the aquarium.

In that moment, I was immediately reminded of Brambley Hedge, the enchanting story of tiny mice and woodland critters living simple, beautiful lives. Watching this little creature scurry about, completely unafraid of us, was like stepping into that magical world. Julian was fascinated, giggling and pointing, and even we adults were captivated by the charm of this small, unexpected encounter.

But as we laughed and admired the mouse, we noticed a few families giving us curious looks. A couple of kids asked us what we were so excited about, and when we told them, their faces lit up. They ran over to watch the tiny mouse too. The kids were delighted. Their parents? Not so much.

Almost every parent nearby muttered something like, “Ew! Oh my gosh. Gives me the heebie-jeebies,” or “Disgusting, let’s go!” It caught me off guard, honestly. Why the automatic disgust? It wasn’t a rat in the kitchen or a pest in the pantry—it was just a tiny mouse, living its little life, completely harmless. I couldn’t help but respond with a bit of wonder in my voice:

“Wait... why? It’s little, and cute—probably a baby. It’s outside, in its natural habitat. It’s not bothering anyone. If it were inside, I’d get it—but here? It’s just living its life like we are.”

It made me pause and reflect on the narratives we let run on autopilot in our minds. So many people seem to react to certain things with knee-jerk negativity, fear, or disgust without really questioning why. Sure, not everyone has to love mice, but to completely dismiss or avoid a potentially joyful moment because of an automatic “ick” reaction? It feels like a missed opportunity to embrace the wonder around us.

Watching that little mouse play and run around our feet reminded me of something I want to pass on to my kids: a deep appreciation for life, in all its forms. Not every critter will be welcome everywhere—there’s a time and place to avoid certain animals for our safety and theirs—but when we encounter life in its natural state, why not pause to marvel instead of fear? Why not teach our kids curiosity instead of disdain?

So many people are quick to complain or avoid things that could bring joy, simply because they’ve been conditioned to see them in a negative light.

But what if we broke that cycle? What if we embraced the small, unexpected wonders of life—even the ones that scurry by on tiny feet?

When we label something as "gross" or "scary" without pausing to reflect, we close ourselves off to the possibility of finding beauty or wonder in unexpected places. But by intentionally shifting our mindset, we can rewrite those scripts. Instead of reacting with fear or disgust, we can choose curiosity, gratitude, and openness.

It’s a practice that takes time and self-awareness, but it’s so worth it. Reframing our internal narratives doesn’t just change how we see the world—it changes how we live in it. It allows us to find delight in small moments, to embrace the unfamiliar, and to model for our kids what it means to live with curiosity and intention.

So, next time life hands you a surprise—whether it’s a tiny mouse or something else entirely—pause. Take a breath. Ask yourself what story your mind is telling you, and decide if that story serves you. You might just discover a new way to see the world, one that’s full of joy, wonder, and possibility.

Here’s to the magic of mindset shifts and the joy they bring!