Curiosity and Wonder

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” 

WB Yeats, poet

If we foster an ability to be curious then suddenly we’ll become aware of a sense of wonder.

We might not call it that.  We might find it’s taking notice, having our breath taken away by something beautiful or finding the hairs on the back of our neck stand on end.  But whatever we call it, Wonder is a mysterious thing.

The Oxford English Dictionary says that wonder is “a feeling of amazement and admiration, caused by something beautiful, remarkable, or unfamiliar.” 

So how does wonder affect our wellbeing?  Why not try this four step exercise. 

STEP # 1 - STOP 

To appreciate wonder we need to be willing to stop. Its very hard to see things when we’re on the treadmill of the daily rush and everything is coming at us thick and fast. Think of times when you’ve been rushing and met someone in the street. Its very hard to take time to listen to someone when in our mind we’re racing on.

So first step is be willing to stop. That usually requires specific time carved out - maybe to sit still for a while, maybe to go for a walk, maybe to meditate, listen to music or simply be. 

First we need to stop.

STEP # 2 - SEE

Next we need to be willing to see. This isn’t a straightforward thing of using eyes or touch. This is about consciously being willing to see new things that you’ve otherwise taken for granted.

The writer GK Chesterton spoke of a novel he always wanted to write. It was about a brave explorer setting out to see to discover new lands. Days later he comes ashore and is amazed at the beautiful landscape he’s found. He marvels in its beauty and new discoveries. 

But slowly he becomes aware of slight familiarities. He consults his charts and learns that rather than landing on new shores he has simply sailed in a circle and landed ashore two miles for his house. But for that hour, when his mind was focusing on seeing all the new things, he found his familiar home had beauty within it that he’d never seen before.

After being willing to stop, we need to be prepared to see things.

STEP # 3 - CURIOSITY 

Thirdly we need curiosity. Stopping and seeing is limited unless we are prepared to ignite that child-like instinct to be curious. That learning new things, making new discoveries and asking why are wonderful limitless questions. They lead somewhere wonderful.

Be willing to allow yourself to be curious.

STEP # 4 - LETTING ACHIEVING GO FOR A WHILE

The final step is something I’ve found hard but in time very valuable. The instinct when we explore the theme of wonder is always to look for meaning. When I see a new flower or beautiful view - to maybe try and find something meaningful in it, so I’ve achieved. 

But in this process I’ve found it’s important to let worry go. I don’t need to find any meaning or achieve anything tangible here. The meaning is that we discover again that we are part of something bigger, and something beautiful.

Achieving can be picked again later but for now, 

Be willing to let achieving go for a while