With Thanks to the Field Sparrow, Whose Voice is So Delicate and Humble
I do not live happily or comfortably
with the cleverness of our times.
The talk is all about computers,
the news is all about bombs and blood.
This morning, in the fresh field,
I came upon a hidden nest.
It held four warm, speckled eggs.
I touched them.
Then went away softly,
having felt something more wonderful
than all the electricity of New York City.
-Mary Oliver
It is important for everyone to keep their minds active. This makes us more observant and opens up new worlds and possibilities. It makes us less complacent and willing to give up when confronted with life’s inevitable challenges.
My endless curiosity and sense of wonder have had a huge impact on my life both prior to and following my ALS diagnosis. An example is my strong desire to learn about interesting things helped me overcome my early learning difficulties and earn advanced university degrees.
Since my ALS diagnosis, my natural curiosity has lead me to explore many unconventional approaches to dealing with ALS that I believe in large part have lead to the slowing of my ALS symptoms and greatly increased my quality of life. Disabilities cause significant daily challenges. although they need not take away your zest for life. Instead, I keep exploring and experiencing little joys.
As the saying goes, “life is what you make out of it”. An example is the day I was doing some difficult balance exercises and blurted out that I feel like I am scaling the face of El Cap (Yosemite’s iconic’ granite wall). My physical therapist responded “it looks like you are in the zone, but you better take a break from your climb if you expect to complete our lesson today”.
Author Alice Walker expressed my feelings when she stated, “I think the foundation of everything in my life is wonder.”
My best teachers and professors have taught me knowledge and skills, but most important they encouraged my curiosity and sense of wonder.
Environmental science Professor Christopher Norment wrote in Orion magazine that all the knowledge and skills he teaches his students are important, “but beyond them there is one even more vital: the capacity for wonder. And wonder is a response to the world—to life!—that sustains intellectual creativity and nourishes our hearts and souls”.
Awe and a sense of wonder are similar, but create somewhat different feeling. Awe focuses more on reverence: whereas, wonder creates a more magical and admiring feeling. Together they make you feel happier, healthier, amazed and inspired. They reduce stress and help you feel more connected, with the world around you.
Many of us only associate awe with special vacations and gatherings such as visiting the Grand Canyon and weddings, even though you can learn to include wonder and awe into your daily routines, Just taking a leisurely walk in your garden or nearby park can reveal many little treasures you have never noticed.
It is important to slow down instead of rushing through your walk with your mind focused elsewhere. Linger and use your senses to connect with what you observe and feel. You will likely become more relaxed and feel good about what you discovered on your walks. During this time be sure to unplug from all your technology devices and even avoid showing a photo on social media of your experience, this is a time for you to connect with yourself and your surroundings.
If you regularly make time and give these awe experiences your full attention you will feel less stress, improve your relationships and be happier. Nature is often the most effective way for me to experience a sense of wonder. However, some of us find it more from religion, the arts, our grandchildren or other special interests.The point is to take time for whatever brings you awe and a sense of wonder and give it your full attention.
I have experienced countless moments of wonder throughout my life. Early moments include reading my first chapter book, learning to care for our family dogs, and learning to ride a bike. Later wonder moments involved rafting the Grand Canyon, snorkeling with sea lions in the Galapagos Islands, learning to ski, attending my first broadway play and admiring incredible architecture and photography.
A more recent example of a wonder moment was having fun with a precious little girl who dropped her bike at our neighborhood park to join me In my “funny” waking exercises with my “strange neck brace”. For a few minutes I was a wonder for her and she was a wonder for me.
The day I wrote this paragraph, I heard Hersch Wilson, the author of Firefighter Zen: A Field Guide To Thriving in Tough Times, being interviewed on a New Demensions Radio program. He spoke about staying calm, being aware and being in the present moment. I can’t wait to read Firefighter Zen. Holding a book has become difficult so I will read it online or get the audio book version.
A wonder for me can be as simple as when I spot the first hummingbird arriving at our home each spring, probably having traveled all the way from Mexico. The hummers never cease to amaze Betty and me.
For some time, I have been unable to work in our home gardens, but now I have more time to just sit quietly and observe spring unfold as different plants bloom, birds begin nesting and our amazing pollinators engage in their essential work.
It was very difficult when I had to stop driving, but now I have a chauffeur and I can observe more.
Each day offers different surprises enhanced by northern New Mexico’s incredible landscapes, blue skies and ever changing weather. In the winter we can have a snow storm snow immediately followed by bright sunny skies. You can also learn to tap into the natural healing energy that we are blessed with.
I am fortunate to live in Santa Fe which gives me so much pleasure even on many days when I am unable to leave our house. Wonder is all around me. I just need to take the time and pay closer attention.
Self-care and creative transformation teacher Jennifer Louden says, “when we are curious we drop our judgments and preconceptions. Being curious reminds us we can always evolve and adapt, soften and change, It reminds us that nothing is fixed in this amazing universe. It becomes a flexible prayer bending with what life brings”.
I use to have to understand everything. Now often if it makes sense and feels right that is good enough for me. As revered spiritual leader Thich Nhat Hanh has taught me, “when the universe gives us a beautiful cloud or bird we should marvel at it without asking too many questions”.
An anthem of hope and wonder for me is singer Lee Ann Womacks’s song I Hope You Dance:
I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean
Whenever one door closes I hope one more opens
Promise me you’ll give faith a fighting chance
And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance, I hope you dance
This is a link to the entire lyrics of I Hope You Dance
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