New Eyes, Lesson 1: Be Wowed by Little Things
“Let the little things amaze you. That’s how you’ll remember life is a miracle” Alexandra Wolf
My husband is German on both sides of the family. Farm born and bred, he’s never met a potato he didn’t like. We’ve been married close to 50 years. Wow! (Yes, I was twelve.) And, I’m absolutely certain I’ve peeled truckloads of spuds in the course of holy matrimony. In fact, I just may be the speediest potato peeler in the state Midwest, but I never thought about it until my grandson asked me how in the world I got so fast. Huh? He was totally mesmerized as my old steel peeler flew along, making the brown skins disappear. The deal is, he noticed and now, every time I tackle a sink full of taters, I smile.
Thank goodness, our nine-year-old self is still inside us. Curious, filled with wonder, nerdy, excited about life. Incredibly, the kid sticks around while the outside of us gets older. But over time, most of us forget to watch the world from that perspective. Don’t let it happen to you. If you pay attention to your inner child’s point of view you’ll never get bored or numb. The kid in you always sees life with new eyes.
Children are naturally open, curious and filled with wonder. It’s how we learn about life. As we grow older, we lose that openness. We want answers, control, predictability and certainty. But you know what? Life doesn’t always work that way and we shouldn’t try so hard to control every outcome. Sometimes we simply need to wait and watch life unfold as it will. And be wowed. Socrates taught “Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”
Stay fascinated instead of frustrated
When we were kids we could get so absorbed in activity we lost all track of time. Have you ever noticed how kids never seem to get cold when they play in the snow? Their ruddy cheeks glow with excitement! Everything is fascinating. It’s all adventure! So what if we miss one day of work or school because of a storm? Make the most of it and let that kid inside you out to play!
We can shiver at the sight of a frozen gate but children imagine icicles hung out to dry. Adults see slick sidewalks and think about falling. Kids see the same sidewalks and think “WHEEE!” I’m not suggesting we throw caution to the wind but have a little fun! When was the last time you made a snowman? Bundle up and give it a try! Coming in from the cold makes cinnamon toast and hot cocoa an epicurean delight!
No such thing as common, everyone has some “wow”!
Let people wow you too. Abraham Lincoln once quipped that God must have loved the common man because he made so many of them. In truth, there’s no such thing as an “ordinary” human being. Everyone has a story and every life matters. Kids quickly accept the differences in others. In fact, they often don’t even notice them. Look at everyone you meet through the innocence of a child’s eyes. Hear their stories, suspend judgement. What you discover will amaze you.
“In each little life, we can see great truth and beauty, and in each little life we glimpse the way of all things in the universe. If we allow ourselves to be enchanted by the beauty of the ordinary, we begin to see that all things are extraordinary. ”~Dean Koontz
I’ll see you again Monday with more ways to open your beautiful new eyes to the wonder and wow that surrounds us!
Kimberly Rebman
Happy Anniversary!!!
Gail
Yes, “wow” is a great aanswer to life!