Annie Dillard

Coloring the Boundaries of Comfort with Curiosity

Finally, painting the edge is not a daredevil act but a rhythmic one. Psychological safety—teams’ shared belief that candor won’t be punished—supports steady exploration (Amy Edmondson, 1999). On the personal level, Brené Brown’s research on vulnerability links brave attempts with boundaries and care (Daring Greatly, 2012). Rest, reflection, and compassionate self-talk keep the colors bright. With that cadence, curiosity becomes renewable: we approach, learn, retreat to integrate, and return—each pass widening the border where comfort slowly becomes capability. [...]