Children Look With Eyes Of Wonder. Do We As Adults Still Have That Ability?
By sunshinelady
@sunshinelady (7609)
United States
January 25, 2008 8:41pm CST
Eyes of Wonder
"He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead."
—Albert Einstein
As small children we were all wonder experts. We found magic everywhere. In the sunlight sparkle of a yellow leaf, the wet shine of a small green frog, or the delightful gurgle of a concrete water fountain. Through the new eyes of early childhood, we discovered wonder wherever our gaze fell. And then we educated ourselves right out of it.
We can reclaim the wonder, June. All we need to do is begin, once more, to observe the world around us. Really look at it, returning to our childlike ability to shut out all the chaos and clutter and focus only on that which is before us, giving it our rapt attention, zooming in on its tiniest details. When we do this, we become as little children, and in this most magical way, discover that the kingdom of heaven is everywhere we look.
May you never loose your ability to be awestruck.
3 people like this
4 responses
@raijin (10345)
• Philippines
26 Jan 08
I am an adult and still fascinated by things, which are mostly new to me. I'm turning 29 this year, but I still see myself as "one of those kids" (in some ways). A man that is still young at heart, always eager to try and learn new things because he enjoys doing it.
I believe that age is not a factor for us, to deprive ourselves from the things we love or wants to do. Because for me, everybody's equal in whatever it is we love doing.
There's one movie that is somehow related to this topic of your's, it stars Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson which is titled The Bucket List!;)
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
26 Jan 08
I haven't been able to look at things in awe for years. I live a very stressful and hectic life. I rarely have fun in my life because it is mostly work and no time for play or it is just very stressful, period. I hate it and hope it changes for the better soon.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
26 Jan 08
Oh dear you really need to do this - even now in the winter I can set at my computer and look out at the bird feeders. Sometimes a bluejay will catch my attention and I'll just watch him for a few minutes as he collects seeds. Just that few minutes helps me to relax a bit and realize how awsome nature is - the bluejays stand out like ccrazy this time of year with brown trees and white snow - basically no color but that single bird from time to time.
2 people like this
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
26 Jan 08
We have a few birds left that are flying wround. It hasd been very cold this year in Indiana and most of them have flown south. We haven't had much snow at all yet this year either. I know how beautiful that is to see outside and on the trees. I do try to get out and enjoy the outdoors when spring and summer gets here. I like to swim and work in my yard. I am going to try to put out a small garden this year too.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
4 Feb 08
Oh I love gardening. Nothing really big just enough for table veggies is fine with me but I love to go out in the early morning before anyone else is awake and tend my garden, that's my real quiet time with nature. I do so look forward to spring, I'm tired of this cold now.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
26 Jan 08
as we grow older we lose the childhood wonder, we become cynical about life, and those of us who still retain that childlike quality are scorned upon and told to grow up by other cynical people.
1 person likes this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
26 Jan 08
kept that childlike wonder it is a rare gift in this world.
1 person likes this
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
26 Jan 08
That is just it. We should never let the wonders of life leave. I know things can be bad at times. But I always look at the fact that they will get better. I love to look at a sunrise or sunset. They are absolutely beautiful. A flower opening up brings a smile to my face. Watching a bee hover over a flower brings wonder to me. God doesn't want us to be cynical. Things happen in life and that is just human. I don't let it take away the beauty and wonder of life.
1 person likes this
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
26 Jan 08
I think that's one of the biggest problems with adults - they don't take the time to admire the simpler things in life - stop and smell the roses and be amazed at the wonderful smell. Watch a bird build a nest, or a catipillar a cacoon - doing these things would greatly improve the health of most adults.
@sunshinelady (7609)
• United States
28 Jan 08
What comes to my mind is that you don't appreciate the wonders of the world that is a very dull thing. I love to watch a sunrise or sunset. Watch a bee buzzing around a flower, fascinating to me is the hummingbird--what a creation of God! There are all kinds of things to wonder at in this world of ours. I agree with you that if adults took time to do these things their health would improve. Not only is it a wonder it also brings peace and relaxation to your soul to take the time to watch the wonders of the world.
@byfaithonly (10698)
• United States
4 Feb 08
Millions of things that fasinate me. Family joke, my ex-father-in-law used to call me over to the house (farm) to pick asparagus. We would then sit at the picnic table and watch more grow - seriously if you watched close you could see it growing. No one else understood this but any time someone is caught just staring at something someone will say, "Watching the asparagus grow?"
Maybe we didn't really see it grow but it was relaxing and peaceful just to sit there in silence.
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