All Things Inspired

Mystery creates wonder, and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand!

Mystery creates wonder, and wonder is the basis of man's desire to understand. These words were spoken by famous astronaut Neil Armstrong as he described what outer space revealed beyond the thin glow of our atmosphere and the infinite darkness of unknown space. If we knew everything about the stars, we might stop looking up. The same is true for the people we meet in life. To be mysterious is to leave of trail of 'why' and 'how' that compels others to seek the answers for themselves.

Controlling the narrative of your life is what identifies you as a mysterious person. It's about creating an aura of intrigue that protects your inner being, your inner most world. It involves a curated and limited self disclosure. It projects a quiet confidence of a high emotional intelligence, independence, and a clouded depth of yourself that fosters curiosity and an incorrigible attraction from others. The more you cultivate an air of mystery and remain just out of reach, the more others will hunger to know you and what you are about. It's as if when you stop being an open book, stop being predictable, you then become a prize they have to earn. Give others a reason to wonder, and they'll never stop searching for the answer.

As you begin to explore this world of intrigue, consider some of these key aspects of being mysterious:

Self preservation - when you hold back the details of yourself, it becomes a barrier against criticism, a barrier against whispers about you, and shields you from emotional hurt. Boundaries are set that allow you a healthy emotional environment.
The power of confidence - not feeling the need to overshare the existential details of your life can build a quiet confidence that can display a profound and controlled persona. This can give you a powerful edge in life as it signals that you do not seek validation from anyone.
Energizing effects - keeping a positive, but exclusive inner circle of confidants can actually provide a energizing and motivating effect on personal goals and values as opposed to feeling burdensome.
Heightened magnetism - as people are naturally drawn to what they don't fully understand, a mysterious demeanor creates an alluring sense of intrigue. Others feel they must know more about you, what makes you tick.
Focused and authentic - a mysterious person is often more focused on their goals, rather than seeking the approval of others. This ultimately leads them to increased authenticity and self reflection.

Reviewing these aspects may trigger a couple of questions for you...

Why is being mysterious important? The desire to be solitude in your ways actually improves your conversations with others. You spend no time on gossip, and tend to have more energy as you are not putting all of your cards on the table. If you seek to find out more about others, it creates a balance for both parties.
If I'm considered to be mysterious, is that a good thing? According to the world of psychology, being mysterious can be attractive. People are intrigued by what they don't know. The curiosity and interest it creates is sensational.

Think about your own experiences for a moment. Have you ever been drawn in by the mysterious, unexplainable phenomena of places or objects you may have heard about? Here's a few examples of great unsolved mysteries...

The Bermuda Triangle - while you don't hear much about this phenomena today, back in the mid 1900's this area in the Atlantic Ocean was associated with numerous unexplained aircraft and ship disappearances. No logical explanation was found.
Area 51 in Nevada - did we have visitors from another planet? This is a highly classified US Air Force facility that was subject of intense conspiracy theories regarding extraterrestrial life.
Crooked Forest of Poland - a grove of approximately 400 pine trees bent at a 90 degree angle at their base in the 1930's for unknown reasons.
Blood Falls in Antarctica - An iron rich, salty water that flows red from the Taylor Glacier that flows like blood, or at least appears to.
Diquis Spheres of Costa Rica - massive stone spheres found in the jungle, with no known origins or purpose for being there.
Neolithic Stone Balls of Scotland - hundreds of intricately carved stone balls from the Neolithic period with no confirmed purpose. Could they be weapons, tools, an early form of a toy? How'd they get there? See Area 51 above, perhaps these are connected.

Those are some fun examples of the mysteries in our world today. While we've addressed the benefit of being mysterious, take caution as you explore becoming more mysterious. Some mystery may be unproductive. Here's a quick review of when being mysterious is productive and then a comparison of when being mysterious is counterproductive:

Mysterious is productive...

Because it can increase attraction - again, people tend to want what they can't have. Being enigmatic can pique curiosity.
When it creates value - by not openly sharing everything about yourself initially, your opinions and presence can be seen as more valuable and sought after.
When it creates personal boundaries - holding back information can protect you from the expectation of others.
When it shows composure - the mysterious are often seen as calm and composed. Impulsive just doesn't exist for them, and that can be highly attractive.

Mysterious is counterproductive...

If it prevents genuine connection - some personal connections require vulnerability. Being too mysterious can constrict trust and meaningful relationships.
If it is confused with rudeness - there can be a fine line between being interesting and appearing arrogant or uninterested in others.
If it comes across as mind games - if composure is missing, the mystery around you can be perceived as manipulative or frustrating rather than charming and alluring.
When you miss opportunities - the depth of your illusiveness may keep you from communicating needs or abilities, leading to missed career or personal opportunities.

A moderate level of mystery, being secure enough to not need to overshare, is generally beneficial, but using it to avoid being seen or known is detrimental.

As you delve into your mysterious inner self, consider these simple gestures of the mysterious: Seek to listen and observe first and speak less, sharing little of yourself; make eye contact and nod instead of saying yes; smile slightly while keeping your mouth closed; and use silence wisely.

Be mysterious. Understand that a mysterious person should never be underestimated. They think more than they speak. They observe more than they say. And, they know more than you may realize. And they seek to...

Be inspired! Inspire others!