A week or two ago, I wrote a poem about wonder, and since then, I’ve been reflecting upon creating wonder. Yep. Wonder is all around us all the time, yet we don’t always see it. Hm. Why would that be, I wonder? Pun intended.
Alright, so let’s take a quick look at wonder, shall we? Good. Let’s go.
Though we can all probably agree on what wonder is, let’s define it real quick. Here we go.
There we go. That’s pretty straightforward. Yes? Yep.
Now, if we take all that we know, and then think about all that is knowable, I mean, really knowable, which is quite vast, we should often get a sense of surprise and admiration. Yep. Why?
Because there is so much around us to learn about, from people, yes, of course, and from just wondering about that which we see. Really.
The sky at night with the prolific array of stars and galaxies.
The issue? Well, quite simply, we have become habituated to doing, instead of being. A paradox? Yep, of course. Why?
Because the natural questions here is, what is the difference between doing and being? Yep. And?
Well, they look exactly the same. Yet, they are different. Hence the paradox.
When we are doing, and doing only, we are focused on the action at hand, and believe that we alone are responsible for that action and the related result.
When we are being, we are still doing, yet we are doing so, no pun intended that time, from a different state.
A state that impels us to an understanding that we are actors in a play, or drama, called life. And, that there is something going on here that is much larger than ourselves, which includes and connects each and everyone us us.
Well, that does take practice. As I’ve written about in many other posts, meditation has been transformational for me in many areas, presence being one of them.
However, you don’t necessarily need to take up a meditation practice to practice being present.
You can simply take a walk by yourself, and notice. Notice all that is around you. Watch as the leaves fall from the tree, as the clouds move across the sky, as people move from here to there, and notice the beauty and wonder in all of it.
It is quite majestical, and wonderous. Just like you are.
Well, we are two days away from the election, COVID-19 cases are up in Oregon, we are continuing to deliver classes and training remotely, and I’ve been writing more poetry lately. Hm. Interesting.
Right, so here’s what I was up to this week, in the event you missed it.
It is interesting to consider. I do like writing poetry, and am having a lot of fun doing so. Funnily enough, as I’ve written before, I haven’t read much poetry, though when I find poetry I like, I go back to it again and again.
And, I’ve been reading a lot more poetry lately from the blogs of some of the most outstanding poets and writers. Lovely.
I also love the challenge of writing poetry. It is an interesting paradox. In some ways it is easier than the other topics I choose to write about, and yet, in many ways much more difficult. Hm.
I enjoy sitting with a peice, pondering it, reflecting upon it, until the right words show up. Fun. I also like being out on a walk or hike, and find that inspiration stirring me to stop on the path, and make notes in my phone.
Is it like that for you? It is often that way for me.
Anyway, at this time, I have planned another installment on sensitivity, a piece on sociology, and, hm, ah yes, a post on wonder. That’s what I have for now anyway. The poetry, you ask? Good question.
You know that works a little differently than the other things I choose to write about. Well, sort of.
With poetry, I usually see something that inspires me, and then from that derive a concept and then write. So, in a way the process is similar to my other writing, and yet feels a little different.
Lastly, I wanted to acknowledge just how hard this year has been for everyone. Really. It has been.
Yet, I also want to acknowledge the resiliency of the human spirit. Very resilient. Much more resilient than people imagine. And, it is beautiful to be a part of and to witness.
I have found and read so many inspirational stories this year. Please know that you are all inspirational to me. All of you.
Though life has been extraordinarily hard this year, and, well, looks like it will continue to be, at least from a pandemic perspective, for some time; know that you are bringing people hope and joy each and every day by writing as you do. Just as you are and as you do. Wonderful.
I’ve laughed and teared more at my computer screen these past few months than at any other time in my life. And, I’m not young. Ha!
Right. Well, it is about time to wrap up this installment. Yet, before I do, let me leave you with two quotes I adore from two very inspirational people. Here you go.
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” ― Helen Keller
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