30 November, 2010

The Season of Wonder Begins

Chilled air blows off the bay, through the buildings, and stings my cheeks as I sit, hands buried beneath the rug, in the back of a horse drawn carriage working its way over cobblestone streets. In November, night comes fairly early in Boston allowing the city to come to life under holiday lights. Old buildings capture my attention, the echo of the past meeting with the joyous sounds of the contemporary merry makers.


I am filled with wonder.

Often, when we speak of wonder, it is paired with children. The “wonder of a child” is something that adults often speak of wistfully having stepped away from such things with age and maturity. Adults are too busy to discover something new or see a thing through fresh eyes and perspective.

While I rested my head against the back of the seat and delighted in the sounds of the horse’s hooves and the past meeting with the future, my daughter delighted in watching and silently communicating (I am sure) with the horse. Our wonder took different forms on that cold Boston evening.

The seasons of wonders are upon us – from that of the sustaining oil and light to that of the wonder of gifts and giving to that of the wonder of fall turning to winter turning to… spring.

Wonder is everywhere – and it isn’t just reserved for children.

Throughout November, I have considered wonder – looking at life and the world through fresh eyes and an open heart. This process has proven interesting as I have found myself sitting back and listening to others more than not. It is the wonder of what they are saying – the wonder of my ability to listen and respond over preparing and reacting.

Wonder starts within. We see it easily in children as they learn and absorb the world around them – everything is new and different; everything deserves their undivided attention. Is it so difficult for us, as adults, to see life in the same way?

Walking through Plymouth, I marveled as the history before me. I have been in older settlements and have studied the period, but there is something about being there… and then opening to see what is there and what it might have been like. Unlike the Jamestown settlement, which barely survived, Plymouth thrived despite the conditions in which they lived. The weather wasn’t hospitable. They were greeted by the unfamiliar and the unknown - living beside Native people who spoke differently and didn’t share their customs or beliefs. Yet… the wonder… the community survived and thrived. This isn’t to say that it was easy for any of the people of those early settlements or the Native people… but they overcame in the end, learned from one another, fought a few wars, and share the historic ground today.

Wonder of history – Wonder of human spirit and the desire to survive – Wonder of invention, nature, sounds, emotions, thought…

Life is full of wonder; filled with magic and beauty and the delight of wonder in that nothing as ever the same- the wonder of change.

Wonder…Open your heart and your eyes… and find the wonder!

Wonder was the RAOKA theme for November.  December's theme is simplicity!  Join in the fun by contacting Zeenat who wrote "Can you see the wonder" for her November entry!

10 comments:

LesleyG said...

This past year has brought me a lot of wonder. I agree, we should look for it more often.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi TE .. love your take on wonder & the different 'feel' we will have through the eras of life .. your daughter's for the horses! & yours just the wonder of having your eyes open to a different era ..

Thanks ..loved your tour .. & I'm looking forward to seeing Jamestown (after my recent post on bloody corn) .. and Plymouth .. with the interaction eventually with the Indians.

Great fun .. thanks - and hope it stays warm! from a snowbound England .. Hilary

Zeenat{Positive Provocations} said...

HI M,
When you said "Wonder is everywhere – and it isn’t just reserved for children."....you just said it all!
Why should I sense of wonder diminish with age...why cant it infact grow with age. Its our choice ultimately...right :)
Thank you fro this wondrous post and beautiful contribution to raoka this month.
Lots of love,
Z~

giulietta nardone said...

Hi TE,

Welcome to my state! Boston's so pretty in the winter with all the brownstones and history all over. I wish my state would stop with all the development and go with the historical branding. How many biotechs does one country need?

As for wonder I agree, it's for all of us. Adults have it they just lose their connection to it, following the societally-prescribed grind of a life.

Why do so many of us buy into this wretched excuse for a life?

I mean we're here for not that long, why do we make it hellish when it's heaven served to us on a platter and we keep sending it back to the kitchen.

Why I love the woods - they bring out the wonder in all of us.

Beautiful post! thank you. G.

Patty - Why Not Start Now? said...

You've put a smile on my face this morning, M. Thank you for gently nudging me to remember wonder.

Sara said...

TE-- Thanks for this post. It is good to think of of the many ways we can wonder at the world.

I loved how your daughter communed with the horse. That's what I would do as I love horses.

It sounds like was a trip filled with many wonders. I also loved this line because it's a good reminder:

"Wonder is everywhere – and it isn’t just reserved for children."

Alien Ghost said...

Hi TE,

Isn't it funny that we spend so much time and effort to teach children, when we can learn so much from them? Letting ourselves to be even a little childish sometimes will allow us to experience so many wonders all around us.

Very inspiring post! :)

Raul

Brian Miller said...

very nice...awe and wonder are too often forgotten in the day to day going abouts but in reality we are surrounded by it if we take the time and look for it...great post.

tess the bold life said...

Well written I was there with you! I think you'd have the market or niche on wonder if you wanted to do a book. Wonder and awe aren't written about much at all.

Joy said...

TE..Fresh eyes, an open heart..and a horse drawn carraige--Wonder filled, indeed:)Magic, beauty, delight..all around us when we turn off our minds and allow our senses to lead..
My life is as magical, as wonder filled, as I allow it to be:)