5 Merits of Wonder

Posted byLisa at Micro of the MacroPosted inRepostTags:, , , , , , , ,

Mystery creates wonder and wonder is the basis of man’s desire to understand. ~Neil Armstrong

Earlier this week, I was watching Dr. Gay Hendricks, psychologist, body-mind therapist, & author of over 40 books, in an interview and the concept of wonder came up.  Human beings thrive on wonder, he said, and gave examples of his patients utilizing wonder with outstanding results. 

Psychology Today shared an article with a delightful definition of the term: Wonder is a complex emotion involving elements of surprise, curiosity, contemplation, and joy. It is perhaps best defined as a heightened state of consciousness and emotion brought about by something singularly beautiful, rare, or unexpected—that is, by a marvel.  

After exploring further these last few days, I’ve read several times that wonder is an emotion that is ever-present in us as small children, but by the time we get to high school, it’s all but forgotten.  Due to its profound advantages, I’d like to reintroduce you to this powerful concept.

The happiness of the bee and the dolphin is to exist. For man it is to know that and to wonder at it. ~Jacques Cousteau

  1. It can help with relationship issues.  After Dr. Hendricks’ interview, I searched the internet for more from him on the subject, and found these statements addressing relationships: Wonder is the opposite of blame. It opens all your brain and body intelligence powers to make new connections.  It takes you out of the state in which a problem gets generated, an Einsteinian move.  
  2. It fosters environmental protection.  Rachel Carson, author of The Sense of Wonder, among other books promoting environmental ethics, writes of the ways in which we have insulated ourselves in the artificial world of our creation, while quietly and desperately wanting to believe we have a future in the natural world.  The more clearly we can focus our attention on the wonders of the Universe about us, the less taste we shall have for destruction, she urges. 
  3. It prompts learning.  Wikipedia shares that historically, wonder has been seen as an important aspect of human nature, specifically being linked with curiosity and the drive behind intellectual exploration.  And the Greek philosopher Socrates set forth the idea wisdom begins in wonder. 
  4. It promotes prosocial behaviors.  A study published in the Journal of Personality & Social Psychology reports that the experience of wonder we feel in the presence of something vast that transcends our understanding of the world encourages lovingkindness, altruism, and generosity.  It’s like falling in love with all of life.
  5. It improves mood & mindset.  This point comes from my personal experiences of witnessing amazing sites like wildlife, larger-than-life trees, and wild landscapes so bedazzling that I am stopped in my tracks. A sudden childlike feeling sweeps over me, bringing me into to the present moment, replacing concerns with a sunny disposition.

Cultivating wonder opens a world of possibilities.  Marveling at the mysteries in which our lives are immersed can make us smarter, more loving toward all of life, and happier.  What could be a better way to live?

If this is the way the world is: extraordinary, surprising, beautiful, singular, mysterious and meaningful; then this is how I ought to act in that world: with respect and celebration, with care, and with full acceptance of the responsibilities that come with my role as a human being privileged to be a part of that community of living things. Wonder is the missing premise that can transform what is into a moral conviction about how one should act in that world. ~Kathleen Dean Moore, Writer & Professor of Philosophy, Oregon State University

Wonder-filled blessings,

Lisa

I shared the original version of this post two years ago, and you gave it lots of love in the form of likes, shares, and comments. I hope you enjoyed this edit. Thank you for reading!

The content of this article is for educational and informational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice. Please consult with a qualified health care professional before acting on any information presented herein. Any statements about the possible health benefits of any subject discussed have not been evaluated by medical professionals or the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness.

40 thoughts on “5 Merits of Wonder”

  8. El mundo se deleita con su belleza y belleza. Sorprende con su naturaleza exótica y nos hace sensibles a la belleza de la naturaleza circundante.

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  9. “Human beings thrive on wonder…” So true, and without that wonder, our lives would be meaningless. Also, I had to comment because the first image in this post shows Trout Lake, near Telluride, Colorado (about an hour from where I live) and is my second-favorite spot on the planet. It’s inspired wonder in me for decades, so it’s a delight to see a photo of this place here! 😊

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  10. Just an absolutely awesome post! Your photos are amazing!!! God intended for us to celebrate the beauty of His creation. It does bring us joy and a pure celebration of life itself. Thank you for this post…wishing you many moments of wonder each and every day!!!

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  13. Not sure I caught the first edition, so thanks for bringing the topic back. It made me wonder about what makes me wonder and then I found myself instead thinking about what the antithesis is of wonder and next thing I know I’m wondering where the time went – translated… a terrific topic (yes, I almost used “wonderful” there but decided it had run its course). If you are curious, after serious reflecting, I came down to one answer for my antithesis question and that is “groupthink”. When you are coerced into one view, one perspective, one agenda, one interpretation, one allowed answer or one authorized perception, then the concept of wonder cannot manifest. I decided wonder is an out of the box concept – something new, some avenue unexplored, some previous known now shaken, a truth reimagined and that cannot happen unless you are allowed to reach for a new explanation or experience. Of course, that will now be a topic to explore on my next long run, so thank you again. I reserve the right to be completely wrong as I am from the college of engineering and therefore my mantra is if I can’t code it, it doesn’t exist ha – By the way, the Cousteau quote is perfect.

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  14. Wonder really does get lost as we grow up, doesn’t it? There’s nothing like a good dose of nature to bring back that childlike amazement. I gotta say, when I feel stressed out, you can always find me staring the night sky, the stars and just wondering. Recently I published a post about it to for why the night sky deserves your attention.

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  16. Taking moments, and sometimes those moments must be long ones, to stop and be in awe of the world around us is time well spent. For me, that time helps me to appreciate the rest of my life which might not be spent in those physical locations that inspire those feelings of wonder to well up in my soul. It’s almost like a store of wonder can help me appreciate the beauty of the mundane, the awesome that can be found in the every day. 🧡

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  17. Love this post Lisa. And really agree with the definition that wonder is a “…complex emotion involving elements of surprise, curiosity, contemplation, and joy.” It’s the best way to live, appreciating all the beauty around us. And in us. 💗

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