Musings: Is Your Sense Of Wonder Drying Up?
“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” Jawaharlal Nehru
Musings: Is Your Sense Of Wonder Drying Up? Watch a Squirrel gather nuts for the winter…
Is your sense of wonder alive and well or drying up? When was the last time you got excited about something? Recently, I watched a squirrel from my kitchen window as he scuttled around looking for nuts for his time in hibernation from the winter. It was a fascinating yet precise dance he had; darting here and there, picking up nuts, dropping them and then settling on one which he carried with him. I watched in wonder; imagining his life and his needs. I picked up my camera and captured his effort in three takes… Then, the words came, “Never lose your sense of wonder; maintain a beginner’s mind…” Two quotes came to mind: “The few wonders of the world only exist while there are those with the sight to see them.” by Charles de Lint, and “Wonder is the foundation of all philosophy, inquiry the progress, ignorance the end.” by Michel de Montaigne. May we never lose our sense of wonder… What about you? What captures your eye in wonderment?
“If a child is to keep his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in.” Rachel Carson
Musings: Is Your Sense Of Wonder Drying Up? Squirrel Watching…
We all have an inborn sense of wonder which can get shoved to the side, as we push our way through life, tackling all the demands on our time and space. It is always a good thing to stop, look around from time to time, and let the eyes settle their gaze on something we haven’t paid attention to in a while… We might meet our own version of the nut gathering squirrel; reminding us to pay attention to the rhythm of nature and the natural order of life which includes taking time to retreat, hibernate, and return refreshed. More below. 😉
“From without, no wonderful effect is wrought within ourselves, unless some interior, responding wonder meets it.” Herman Melville
Musings: Is Your Sense Of Wonder Drying Up? Off the squirrel goes..
As my new friend scuttled away, I turned back to my task in the kitchen; I was making a cup of tea. I completed my task and, with camera in hand, I headed back to the living room, sat down, took a sip and contemplated the beauty of hibernation. It makes perfect sense to pull back from the harsh weather, avoid the brutal lights, go within, regroup and return full of wonder for what might lie ahead. May we never lose our sense of wonder… What are your thoughts? Is your sense of wonder alive and well? Do you find much that makes you pause? When was the last time you got excited about something? Do share! Thank you. 😉
This post was inspired by a prompt from SoulPancake: Is your sense of wonder drying up? Your quest for fire, your desire to know what everyone is thinking. What’s on the other side of the fence.
Positive Motivation Tip: A sense of wonder keeps us fresh and alive… look to nature and within for yours.
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos via my personal collection
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
My sense of wonder and curiosity are soooo active… they add so much richness to my life!
I agree and your blog reflects that wonderfully astonishing wonder you share… TY! 🙂
“The few wonders of the world only exist while there are those with the sight to see them.” by Charles de Lint. I have always loved that quote because it is so true. We have to have the eyes to see the wonderment in the simplest of things.
Wonderful things are going on all around us (like the squirrel in your yard), we just have to take the blinkers off and see them. The simplest of things usually bring us the most pleasure.
So true Barb! I have to remind myself to do so too. I find myself rushing at times, and it is only when I slow down, pause, and truly look that I remember the beauty around me… and immediately a prayer of gratitude arises in my heart… So true. Loved that quote and probably should use it as the main one. 😉
I have kept my sense of wonder because there is so much that is wonderful around us, it would be hard not to 🙂
Good for you! Plus, with your keen poet’s eye, you don’t miss a thing. TY! 😉
When was the last time we got excited about something?
reply: yesterday; my third grandson was born …
Congratulations! I am thrilled for you and your family. 🙂
I do not get too excited these days but I went to the resale store today and found two law books worth 100.00 each and got them for 2.00 a piece. So that is wonderful. Then I created this thing that goes from the ceiling of our garage to where my sister can hit this thing with her car, so that she can tell she is all the way into the garage.
Isn’t it awesome to find a valuable bargain? I love those finds Hope your sister appreciates the invention. TY1 🙂
Nice tips. I have tons of things which I want to try. So I wish that I had many times to do them. 🙂
Same here… We do the best we can Cocomino! TY 🙂
Such a great post Eliz! It is easy to forget how amazing everything actually is, and I mean everything! But especially nature! Which is where I always turn to whenever I feel a bit “dryed up”. Lol! But really, to watch and interact with nature is a perfect way for me to put my life in perspective. Thank you for sharing! 🙂
Yes, nature does it for me… but you are right; everything is amazing when we take a moment to think about it… We get complacent because things just work… and we only realize the magic of it all when things don’t work or stop working.
We often keep our eyes closed to those wonders. You’re right – let’s be able to look at things with a beginner’s mind, without losing that sense of wonder – always…
That is my prayer too Bindu. TY! 🙂
This post hit home for me Eliz mostly because lately I feel I am losing my sense of wonder and that is never good…so I am searching!
I hear you Chris and you are not alone. There are times when the hectic running around wears us down and we just stop looking…. I’m grateful for the reminders. TY! 🙂
Is having a ‘sense of wonder’ always a good thing? For me, turning it off so that I don’t get on other people’s nerves is more difficult than turning it back on so that I can get creative. 🙂
Oh you fortunate soul you… don’t turn it off. Some of us grapple with maintaining one and you have to turn yours off? Please don’t!!! TY – Your wonder feeds your creativity… Keep it glowing. 🙂
When we stop rushing, life has time to weave its magic around us.
Beautifully said… I agree. Now the trick is to stop rushing already. Remember the streets of Manhattan? Ever tried walking casually there? You’d get shoved aside for all the eager, I’m-in-a-hurry-to-nowhere people rushing by… I’ve always wondered about that. TY Nancy! 🙂
Wonder is always present, finding it and seeing it is the trick. One wonderful thing to note is the posts you deliver with so much thought.
Thanks Liz
Thank you Walter,
I love yours too… the creativity and colors keep me coming back… I know life can throw us some nasty curve balls, and getting back to that place will require more effort. Yet, I’m grateful for the moments of wonder when they come. TY! 🙂
Yesterday when a Beach Boys song came on the radio and I sang it word-for-word all the way to the office. Small things that bring joy….thanks for sharing.
TY too for stopping by! I will visit your blog too and add my voice. I love it when golden oldies songs are played on the radio and I can still remember the lyrics. Your comment made me smile. 🙂
The squirrel looks so cute. Lovely pictures, Eliz. I’m glad you had the chance to take them. And I like your writing and selection of quotes. Thanks for sharing!
I always love watching birds in our grevillea bushes. I am amazed how they can balance on small branches while picking at the fruit.
TY dear one, I still have to stop by and finish commenting on your blog… Appreciate your patience! TY for the kind words too… the sentiments are mutual. I love birds but mine are very finicky. 😆
A sense of wonder is what keeps all of us “young at heart.” It’s what keeps us engaged in the world we live in and lets us look forward to a new day and makes us get out of bed every morning!
Well said… It is true and that makes up for all the agida we have to put up with in this world… The beauty of a sudden late blooming flower, the smile from a stranger on the walking path, a kind word or comment… Wonderful! TY! 🙂
Nice, thought provoking post. My sense of wonder is still alive and active!
Beautiful and may the rest of us never lose ours. TY for all your kind comments too! 🙂
Having children keeps me wondering…. But seriously, it is a special gift to be able to slow down, stop and just notice all the stuff going on around us. To take it into ourselves and let it steep like our cuppa tea. To let it grow from observation, to realization and into wonder. Be blessed today!
Natalie,
I agree with you on that one too. It is indeed a special gift to all of us and when the spirit of wonder comes knocking we should all pay attention. I tell you, it never ceases to amaze me to recognize that even though my eyes are open, I don’t always see… It takes conscious effort to truly look and see… TY! 🙂
We don’t have squirrels here, but I love the little critters. I watched for them constantly when I was visiting Kansas – never saw one close up!
I think I keep my sense of wonder – I hope I do!
We used to do exercises in acting class to sharpen our sense of wonder and excitement and it was fun. Alas, I feel as if my sense got a little muted. I’m slowly rediscovering it and remembering to see the world like a child does.