Have you lost your sense of wonder? The little children in my preschool class teach me so much about life. As an adult, I often go through the motions. Sometimes, I'm so deep in thought driving to work that I miss my exit. I forget to notice the clouds or the hot air balloons rising in the sky.
Outside a window of our classroom, we heard a commotion. Ms. Patricia peeked out and told me there were a few roadrunners. Before I could say anything, my students quickly headed for the window to take a peek. But they weren't tall enough. That didn't stop them as they climbed on the bookshelf to get a better view. The birds darted behind the shrubs. The minute they stepped out, the children squealed with delight.
"I see the birdie." "Look, he's hiding."
"All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up."
~ Pablo Picasso ~
Children have a natural curiosity. They live in the present moment.
I notice this when I observe them at play. Addy is engrossed with her two little dolls. She pats their back, puts them to bed, and even asks Ms. Debbie to hold one of them.
Oliver loves to line up all the plastic animals on the shelf. He thinks nothing of emptying everything else, so he has room to march his elephants and tigers and monkeys. All the while, he is talking and sometimes even singing.
As we get older, we tend to lose that childlike sense of wonder. I have a few suggestions to re-engage that part of your self.
- Slow down. Don't be in such a hurry. Look around and notice the clouds, the moon, the flowers, people.
- Observe children at play. See how they become excited when they spot a butterfly or a hummingbird. We can learn from them.
- Be on the lookout for things to photograph. I love photography, and it's opened my eyes to notice even the simple and seemingly ordinary.
- Be curious. Ask questions. Don't assume you know everything you need to know.
- Learn something new. This summer I learned an Adobe program InDesign. I ended up using it to write my book for parents of preschoolers. Who knew?
- Get out in nature. Observe mountains or lakes or the ocean.
- Take deep breaths. Simply be. Forget your to-do list for at least a while. Enjoy the day.
- Do something fun. Remember what brought you joy as a kid.
What could you add to this list? I'd love to hear in the comments.
I'll leave you with the words to a song recorded by Lee Ann Womack.
I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me that you'll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance, I hope you dance
I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Livin' might mean takin' chances but they're worth takin'
Lovin' might be a mistake but it's worth makin'
Don't let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter
When you come close to sellin' out reconsider
Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance, I hope you dance
I hope you dance, I hope you dance
(Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along
Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone)
Blessings and love,
Great post! Wish I did have my sense of wonder that I had when I was younger!
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