Agreed...My Octopus Teacher was a fantastic movie. And for me, I don't know that wonder is hard to reclaim at this stage of life...its more about the distractions, the fewer opportunities due to commitments, etc. It's still out there, just takes more intentionality, at least for me.
I would agree with that....its along the lines of what I mean about the distractions. When busy, or distracted, or mentally preoccupied, there's so little room for anything else. For me, right now, the busyness is that perfect storm of regular life/work (which I don't mind, I LOVE my work), plus the added busyness of watching my marriage explode and just trying to help it explode faster so that it's just done already. I look forward to more spaciousness in the coming days/weeks/months.
For the casual spectators who don't know me, I am on the receiving end of the divorce, and just want to find myself again, my happiness, my peace...to try to figure out if I am worth loving in the next phase of life, is there joy to come, where will this crazy world/life take me, see what is next, etc.
First of all, I love the post. So much truth and the world can never have quite enough wonder.
At the same time, there is a related phenomenon that may not be wonder so much as delight. There are certain songs and shows and plays that I can just watch over and over again and never quite get tired of them. I can explain some of it but not all of it. I know what to expect, but it seems to have an endless well of positive energy. You can't say it's novelty--especially with recordings where it's exactly the same every time.
I somehow think they are related. I just don't know how.
Oh I love that concept and yes I totally know what you’re talking about - some books as well that I’ve re read several times just for the delight. I’ll have to noodle on what exactly that phenomenon is.
yes surprise is a part of wonder. we can be surprised and respond with fear, anger, resentment. perhaps the state of our nervous system is key. if we are feeling at home in our bodies, a surprise can be wonderful. i have noticed I am much more open to wonder when my kid is elsewhere and Im not on duty as mother protector. the octopus teacher was alone. you on your walk were alone. i wonder about the dynamics of when we discover something maybe allows for those masks/roles to drop? I love the idea of having a companion to share in my wonder. Yet I notice many writers spend vast amount time alone swimming in the delicious deep waters of silence. someone else mentioned less distractions so this could be it. alone and silent is an absence of others and noise and conversation and perhaps creates the SPACE for wonder to emerge.
That’s interesting! For me having my kids around was such an easy entry to wonder - it was like they gave me a window into my child self again. Yes I would say the state of our nervous system makes a big difference.
I never really put it together that wonder is so often dependent on uncertainty, or at least an absence of expectations. Something to ponder as I try to get out of my own way and create space for more wonder (I know it's all around me, but I'm looking through my human screen). But I NEVER eat octopus, so there's that.
I never willingly ate octopus, despite my Italian grandmother trying her best. I did eat squid. A lifelong love of all things aquatic and a zoology major combined with a lifelong hobby (and many years of employment) in aquarium-keeping solidified my opinion that where I personally draw the line on what to consume and not consume definitely has octopus, squid, cuttlefish, and their relatives firmly on the side of "NOPE. Not gunna do that." I can keep hoping that others come to this conclusion as well, but I try not to push. Especially when it's cultural (as an Italian American, I do understand that). I'll just keep refusing and explain if I am asked to and try my best not to be impolite. I might fail at that last bit, but I will try. <wink> I have worked with them in a public aquarium and in retail stores. I have been lucky enough to interact with and observe them in the wild. They are fascinating and exquisite and, for me, Not Food. As a matter of fact, several stand out moments of wonder in my own life happened because of these creatures. :)
I want to create a T Shirt that says friends not food I. Portuguese with a picture of an octopus on it - but I don’t because I am a guest in this country but it does make me sad to see these beautiful and intelligent creatures eaten.
I confess to eating calamari in the past . . . and I'm still an omnivore. But when it comes to animals, I restrict myself to the the ones that have their skeletons on the inside — and faces that are recognizable as faces. And that have been humanely raised and ushered into food status.
Agreed...My Octopus Teacher was a fantastic movie. And for me, I don't know that wonder is hard to reclaim at this stage of life...its more about the distractions, the fewer opportunities due to commitments, etc. It's still out there, just takes more intentionality, at least for me.
I have often said I can’t find “god” In the busyness- it’s only when we have a spaciousness to our days I find that we have the space for wonder.
I would agree with that....its along the lines of what I mean about the distractions. When busy, or distracted, or mentally preoccupied, there's so little room for anything else. For me, right now, the busyness is that perfect storm of regular life/work (which I don't mind, I LOVE my work), plus the added busyness of watching my marriage explode and just trying to help it explode faster so that it's just done already. I look forward to more spaciousness in the coming days/weeks/months.
For the casual spectators who don't know me, I am on the receiving end of the divorce, and just want to find myself again, my happiness, my peace...to try to figure out if I am worth loving in the next phase of life, is there joy to come, where will this crazy world/life take me, see what is next, etc.
First of all, I love the post. So much truth and the world can never have quite enough wonder.
At the same time, there is a related phenomenon that may not be wonder so much as delight. There are certain songs and shows and plays that I can just watch over and over again and never quite get tired of them. I can explain some of it but not all of it. I know what to expect, but it seems to have an endless well of positive energy. You can't say it's novelty--especially with recordings where it's exactly the same every time.
I somehow think they are related. I just don't know how.
Oh I love that concept and yes I totally know what you’re talking about - some books as well that I’ve re read several times just for the delight. I’ll have to noodle on what exactly that phenomenon is.
yes surprise is a part of wonder. we can be surprised and respond with fear, anger, resentment. perhaps the state of our nervous system is key. if we are feeling at home in our bodies, a surprise can be wonderful. i have noticed I am much more open to wonder when my kid is elsewhere and Im not on duty as mother protector. the octopus teacher was alone. you on your walk were alone. i wonder about the dynamics of when we discover something maybe allows for those masks/roles to drop? I love the idea of having a companion to share in my wonder. Yet I notice many writers spend vast amount time alone swimming in the delicious deep waters of silence. someone else mentioned less distractions so this could be it. alone and silent is an absence of others and noise and conversation and perhaps creates the SPACE for wonder to emerge.
That’s interesting! For me having my kids around was such an easy entry to wonder - it was like they gave me a window into my child self again. Yes I would say the state of our nervous system makes a big difference.
I never really put it together that wonder is so often dependent on uncertainty, or at least an absence of expectations. Something to ponder as I try to get out of my own way and create space for more wonder (I know it's all around me, but I'm looking through my human screen). But I NEVER eat octopus, so there's that.
I literally feel sick when I see those beautiful animals on ice in the super market here in Portugal
I've had them served to me at a dinner party -- tiny baby ones, in a salad. It took a lot not to be impolite.
I never willingly ate octopus, despite my Italian grandmother trying her best. I did eat squid. A lifelong love of all things aquatic and a zoology major combined with a lifelong hobby (and many years of employment) in aquarium-keeping solidified my opinion that where I personally draw the line on what to consume and not consume definitely has octopus, squid, cuttlefish, and their relatives firmly on the side of "NOPE. Not gunna do that." I can keep hoping that others come to this conclusion as well, but I try not to push. Especially when it's cultural (as an Italian American, I do understand that). I'll just keep refusing and explain if I am asked to and try my best not to be impolite. I might fail at that last bit, but I will try. <wink> I have worked with them in a public aquarium and in retail stores. I have been lucky enough to interact with and observe them in the wild. They are fascinating and exquisite and, for me, Not Food. As a matter of fact, several stand out moments of wonder in my own life happened because of these creatures. :)
I want to create a T Shirt that says friends not food I. Portuguese with a picture of an octopus on it - but I don’t because I am a guest in this country but it does make me sad to see these beautiful and intelligent creatures eaten.
I confess to eating calamari in the past . . . and I'm still an omnivore. But when it comes to animals, I restrict myself to the the ones that have their skeletons on the inside — and faces that are recognizable as faces. And that have been humanely raised and ushered into food status.
Emerson is applauding you from the other side! This is beautiful, refreshing stuff!
And I see what you did there with your bold statement! 😂
I’m glad you got my bold statement !