To Inspire:

Think about the way a child reacts when they see something for the first time. An animal at the zoo, a colorful flower, or a big fire truck – they are full of wonder for everything they encounter. Why do we lose that wonder as adults?

“A sense of wonder speaks of our hunger to be moved, to be engaged and impassioned with the world,” says speaker and author, Gregg Levoy. He suggests that viewing life from a place of wonder is a great way to live fully, deepen our spirituality and connect with God.”

Levoy offers five tips to reconnect with our childlike wonder:

Get out into the world: This could be visiting a new destination via travel or simply taking a new path on your daily walk. “Growing your sense of wonder is often about simply getting out from behind the desk or away from the chores, habits and routines in your everyday life,” said Levoy. “It’s about creating opportunities to encounter wonder by putting yourself in its path.”

Use all your senses: It’s called a “sense of wonder” because it requires using your senses to take in the wonder that surrounds you. Taste a favorite recipe. Listen to a favorite song. Smell the flowers in your garden. See the beauty around you.

Seek out wondrous displays: There are so many opportunities to see things that will elicit wonder. Take a few minutes to stop and watch a beautiful sunrise or sunset. This time of year, I am often awed by the synchronized flocks of flying birds. Notice these things, bring them into your life.

Look at things from new angles: Sometimes a simple change of perspective will make the ordinary extraordinary. For example, imagine the water that created the Grand Canyon, or picture the builders who build skyscrapers – thinking about these things differently can make them even more wonderous.

See your life through another’s eyes: Even though we are all surrounded by the beauty of this world, we can sometimes forget to see it that way. The things we see every day, like our driving route to work or the aisles of our grocery store, start to feel dull. This story I saw online recently captures this idea so perfectly:

“I’m 14, at the beach in my hometown, feeling like “whatever” it’s so boring, who cares really? And then this woman ran out on the sand and exclaimed “It’s the ocean! I grew up in Colorado. I’ve never seen the ocean. There’s so much water!” Tears began to stream down her face and I thought, “we’re on the same beach, but mine is boring and hers is beautiful and if I have to choose, I’d rather be on her beach.” As she walked away, continuing to exclaim about palm trees and coconuts I thought about how easily time makes us numb to beauty and how I didn’t want to live that way anymore.”

Perspective is everything. Open yourself up to the beauty and magnificence that surrounds us and reconnect with that sense of wonder – what a way to add joy to your life!

 

 

 

 

Written by Michelle O’Brien, Manager of Marketing & Communications

 

 

Source: Kaupish, Kaylin. 5 Ways to Regain Your Childlike Wonder as an Adult. Guideposts.com.