6/14/2023 0 Comments Facebook words of wonder![]() ![]() The grown-ups, going about their business and worries, and tormenting themselves with all kinds of details, gradually lose the perspective for these riches that children, when they are attentive and good, soon notice and love with their whole heart. “And so it is that most people have no idea how beautiful the world is and how much magnificence is revealed in the tiniest things, in some flower, in a stone, in tree bark, or in a birch leaf. WONDER is childlike attention, curiosity, and joy. WONDER recognizes the beauty in ourselves and in the world. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. ![]() Benedict instructs that we “regard all utensils and goods of the monastery as sacred vessels of the altar, aware that nothing is to be neglected” (RB 31:10-11). ![]() We must remain open to learning something new, to saying “ I don’t know nothin’“, to consider that there are angels seen and unseen, things not discovered. One only becomes wise through experience. WONDER leaves room for the unexpected, for learning something new. “The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our sense to grow sharper.”-W.B. WONDER is an attitude of curiosity, a willingness to withhold judgment, and to be open to what happens. “The closest thing to God is when we say WOW!” -Brian McLaren “Our eyes are opened to that surprise character of the world around us the moment we wake up from taking things for granted… Surprise is the beginning of gratefulness.” Brother David Steindl-Rast Wonder makes us fall to our knees.” Gregory of Nyssa “Concepts create idols only wonder comprehends anything. Jung said, “could shift our thinking so we recognize a greater wholeness in all of creation…It could precipitate a spiritual awakening.” Waking up to meaningful coincidences, C.J. I pass by it many times every day, but I realize I wasn’t really SEEING it. The wisdom begins in wonder decoration (pictured above) hangs around an olive oil bottle in my kitchen. ( Synchronicity and Holy Surprise)Ī card I created using images gathered on retreat and from a greeting card that screamed synchronicity!Īfter the word WONDER rested in my awareness, it was providential how many words of wisdom, poems, and quotes I came across in my reading. There we are uplifted by invisible forces and surrounded by angels seen and unseen. It is only with eyes open to wonder, holy surprises, and synchronicity that we experience the humbling and awesome fall to our knees. The title of my card, Sit A Spell, is an encouragement to be open and receptive to the wonders of the universe revealing themselves right where we are-comfortable on our perch, walking through the seasons of life, or, even, in our thoughts and imagination. ![]() The images in a recent SoulCollage card brought forth the word WONDER, and it settled comfortably in my soul. A word was meant to be wrestled with and slowly grown into. The “word” was often a short phrase to nourish and challenge the receiver. This tradition (for desert mothers and fathers) of asking for a word was a way of seeking something on which to ponder for many days, weeks, months, sometimes a whole lifetime. Words that have chosen me in the last few years include Mercy (2017), Cushion (2018), You Are Free (I needed more words that year) (2019), Carry On (2020), Truth (2021), and Consent (2022). I love the practice of asking for a word, allowing a word or phrase to bubble up to ponder for the new year. ![]()
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