Where is your wonder?

Day to day living requires a lot from us. Even when things are going smoothly, there are chores, bills, traffic jams, and a thousand redundancies that can make it difficult to feel the wonder of being alive. A hard reset is sometimes needed to be able to feel awe again. A vacation, a day trip, or even just an hour away can help us to reignite the flames in our hearts for

being human.

Yesterday, I went on a lovely hike at a state park here in Minnesota. The terrain is different from what I’m used to, coming from the Columbia River Gorge area, with its stunning and abrupt landscapes. In the Midwest, there are gentle hills and limestone outcrops to explore. The fall colors were faded, but still apparent. It was warm and there were hundreds of families out enjoying this space. Whether one traversed the trails in fancy hiking boots or Crocks, the experience was similar, and most importantly, it was shared.

I used to experience wonder mostly with nature, and mostly in solitude. Yet I am learning with age, experience, and willingness, that the experience of wonder can be best expressed in community. Being witness to each other and with each other adds another dimension to wonder.

All shared moments, whether they are fun, amazing, or painful ones, have the potential for wonder. Praying with a patient, sharing a meal with new friends, or visiting family for an afternoon can create opportunities to embrace the miracle that we are here together, incarnated, and real.

What brings you wonder? How do you express it? How are you able to share it with others?

Suggested homework this week: scribble down notes when you experience a moment of awe or wonder. Were you alone or with others? What did it look like and feel like? What do you need to do to make room for more of these moments? How’re you feeling now?