Where does wonder come from?

What inspires you? What is fascinating to you? What causes you to marvel and wonder?

A hero? A rags to riches story? Seeing social justice being applied in the real world? Philanthropy? A new technology or discovery? A good book or film that whisks you away from the stresses of your life?

As children, we often found ourselves wondering how everything works, hungry to learn, like a dry sponge sopping up the liquid of new knowledge all around us, whether it be through the thousands of questions we asked our parents or caregivers, or just observing and experiencing new things in life.

As adults we sometimes lose our sense of wonder and need to cultivate it again. We need to slow down and notice the awe-inspiring things around us and allow them to keep us childlike, learning and discovering as we go, throwing off the illusion that as adults we know it all.

I think it's a good practice (it's proven helpful to me!) to create your wonder list. It's not a to do list, it's a list of things that already exist around you everyday. Just list them, then intentionally notice them and enjoy the natural sense of wonder that follows.

Notice them, search for them. They're there.

As for me, I am inspired and fascinated by

• the human's ability to adapt (to different cultures, workplaces, stress, challenges, etc.)
• the human capacity and basic need to connect with other humans
• how humans learn, grow, and overcome obstacles
• how humans serve and love one another in completely ridiculous ways
• how trust is built
• the power of forgiveness
• promises kept
• how much joy there is to be found in daily life
• the power of friendship
• true selfless kindness
• both the beauty and strong forces of nature

What about you? What makes you sit back in wonder and amazement?

The photo above is of Glacier National Park. It has always been my favorite place on earth. I have been in many places on this globe, but Glacier is my favorite (Switzerland is a close 2nd). Glacier brought out wonder and awe in me that took my breath away.

Where is your sense of wonder? Do you need to cultivate it? How might your life be different if you dwelt on those things that brought you wonder? Are there common themes?

What's on your list?

The Principle of Blooming When You're Falling

In my office, sometimes things of beauty pop out and teach me powerful lessons of life principles, while I am buried in mundane tasks. They cause me to step back, reflect and marvel.

Take time to step back, reflect, and marvel.

My orchid that my dear husband gave me my first day of work on Valentine's Day of this year, is blooming again. But it's strange. The shoot of blooms is leaning way off to the side, falling over, instead of shooting upward. I found this to be a profound thing, and an analogy that in life, we can bloom and create beauty, even when it looks as though we are falling.

I took the shoot of blooms and clipped it to a support stick that comes with the plant and noticed how flexible the shoot became and how the next day it was more upright. We can be like the sticks that cause others who are falling to stand up straighter and let their beauty be more visible for others to see and enjoy.

Who are you a support stick for? Who do you see beauty and passion and talent in, but who is cowering for some reason instead of standing up straight allowing their beauty to be seen and enjoyed? The support can take various forms: verbal encouragement, backing up a person's idea, a friendly smile, or offering physical help.

I have people in my life like that. My supporters. I have learned, however that when I feel like I'm falling, I need to ask "What am I good at again? Why am I special?" and the support is right there for me, pushing me back upward. I know many people don't ask for the help they need in these situations, so my challenge to myself as well as all of you, is: who do you know that is falling? What can you do to support them and push them upward? It might happen faster than you think. 

Oh that I would be a support stick for all the orchids in my life!