Wonder is a wonderful thing. Wonder as an emotion is probably akin to surprise and possibly the awe that people experience when they experience something rare or unexpected.
Children see most of the world with wonder. When they are born they have seen nothing and as they become increasingly aware of their surroundings they see new things every minute. Each one they see with wonder. As they have so many new and unexpected experiences occurring most children do not see the wonder of nature. Those wonderful views that stop us in our tracks. I can remember taking a disadvantaged eight year old on a road trip to the snow. I was expecting wonderment at the white vistas before us but they were totally lost on her. Instead she was taken by an Enid Blyton book that I had resurrected from my childhood for the trip and my brother’s baby. I remember my disappointment at her lack of view appreciation but her wonder was that she was for once the centre of attention. No-one had ever read to her before. That was something to wonder at.
© irene waters 2014
Even at twenty odd views don’t mean much. My husband tells me that on his arrival in Australia as a ten pound migrant from England that he was put up in a hostel on Cremorne Point. He took me to show me and I exclaimed in wonder at the glorious harbour views. He told me that he and his friends didn’t appreciate them at all for the time they were there.
© irene waters 2014
As one gets older one has seen much more and the sense of wonder diminishes. Having children sometimes allows you to see things through those children’s eyes and the wonder returns. For me the wonder has never left. I’m still inquisitive and I still see the wonder in the world and I sincerely hope that this never changes.
© irene waters 2014
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Wonderful post Irene 😉
We may never forget to wonder and enjoy the beauty around us.
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Thanks Irene, Yes it would be a sad day the day we forgot how to do that. 🙂
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I think sometimes I didn’t appreciate the wonderful things I saw as a child, and sometimes children don’t. They don’t always understand what or who they are seeing. I wonder if adults have to prime the wonder pump sometimes. As an older person, I find myself appreciating the wonder of life even more than I did as a child.
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That’s great TC, I was worried that as you got older you felt that you had seen it all and nothing gave you that thrill anymore. You’ve brightened my day. Cheers Irene
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That is a lovely post, Irene – and I hope it doesn’t, too, I doubt it ever will.
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That’s great M-R and thanks. Cheers Irene
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A delightful post, wonder – fully illustrated. Since I retired, my sense of wonder seems to have returned. Slowing down, with kids living thousands of miles away in opposite directions, gives you the chance to find your wonder again.
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It is a precious thing to retain a childlike wonderment and yours certainly shows through Irene. I love it when I see my robin in my garden, I am excited all day. It’s lovely to share that 🙂
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I think possibly all creative people and a lot of academics share that wonder and inquisitiveness. I’m glad you share it too but it shows through in your writing adn photographs. Cheers Irene
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fabulous post! I too wonder at scenic views. I like seeing breath-taking scenery…and sometimes those breath-taking views can be in your own backyard if you just look. So glad to hear that your sense of wonder hasn’t gone away. I think it’s sad when someone loses that sense of wonder. Your photography is magnificent too!
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Thanks. I agree – everyday items and scenes can cause a great deal of wonder if you just care to really look at them. Cheers Irene
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