Principle 20: Find Childlike Wonder in the World
Live in a state of "constant total amazement"
When I was a little kid, my parents took me to the zoo, and I remember my first sight of an elephant. So amazing was this creature, that I still have that childhood memory of what an elephant looks like to a kid:
Sure I know what an elephant looks like to me now, and I can picture it
But I still have that child’s view in my head, and I can picture that too
Childhood is a time of wonder. Kids love to talk about extremes:
What animal is fastest?
What creature is biggest?
Look at how high I can jump, mommy!
Naturally so, since the world is new and full of amazing sights:
So where does that wonder go as adults? Oh, it’s still there, but we tend to pull it out only when we see something new. See an elephant? Oh sure, I’ve seen those before. But see the Grand Canyon for the first time in person? I promise, the wonder returns.
Adults are cursed with responsibility. We get so caught up in the day-to-day grind, we don’t notice the beauty in the world. It’s easy to get distracted, or to nod knowingly when people tell us how awful the world is.
But it’s full of beauty too.
So yes, you can focus on the problems, and there are plenty of problems that will be glad of your attention (and money). But you can also focus on the good things. It’s up to you.
A principle to follow is to realize our childlike wonder at the world was the right viewpoint. There are amazing sights, and not just the big ones. Ever see a puffy white cloud on a perfect summer’s day? Amazing! Ever see a beautiful orange sky as the sun sets? Astonishing. Ever see a beautiful shade of color on a sports car? Wonderful! Ever taste the perfect cappuccino? Lovely!
To the extent that you can dredge up that childhood viewpoint of the world, is the extent that the world can still astonish you.
One of my favorite forgotten films is 1990’s Joe Versus the Volcano, a fable not to be take literally, but lovely to see.
In one scene is a little speech Meg Ryan says to Tom Hanks, and it has stuck with me ever since:
My father says that almost the whole world is asleep. Everybody you know. Everybody you see. Everybody you talk to. He says that only a few people are awake and they live in a state of constant total amazement.
For a more detailed look at the importance of awe in our lives, please read this excellent article by
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Oh, I really like that movie too. And I’m with you, I want to be one of those who are awake. I remember the first time I saw a rainbow - magical. Thanks for your reminder to never forget that wonder.
One wonderful benefit to being around children, whether ones own or not , is we experience their wonder through their first experiences. So much for them is new, and being part of their experience , we renew our own wonder. I still love it when it's snowing, but when my 1 year old son rushed outside , twirling and giggling in a snowstorm, his awe far exceeded my own.His childlike wonder elevated mine.