I’VE LONG FOLLOWED Maria Popova’s The Marginalian, an ad-free blog that originated as Brain Pickings in 2006. I do not exaggerate when I say nearly every time I click on her accompanying newsletter, I find myself sucked into the most beautiful vortex of art, poetry, science, and philosophy on a theme that always seems to center and refresh me. This morning she wrote again of a topic she addresses on the regular: Wonder. (Is there anything more wonderful than wonder? Seriously.) Maria opens the essay, titled How to be More Alive: Herman Hesse on Wonder and the Proper Aim of Education, with this:
“It bears repeating that what makes life livable is our ability — our willingness — to move through the world wonder-smitten by reality. The most wonderful thing about wonder is that it knows no scale, no class, no category — it can be found in a geranium or in a galaxy, in the burble of a brook or in the Goldberg Variations.”
She goes on to say:
Wonder, after all, is what we look for when we are looking, and the richest recompense of learning how to look.
It stopped me in my tracks even as I find this insight to be self-evident; not just wonder as the reward for looking, but wonder as the reason to notice—to consciously look, to pay attention—in the first place. And of course it is! It most certainly is.
CASE IN POINT: July on this old Western North Carolina mountain. The season up here is a spectacular one for a hundred thousand reasons, not the least of which is the proliferation of wildflowers that cycle through on nature’s determined schedule. We’ve had this getaway place enough years now that I generally know which to watch for, when. It’s a thrill to see a new varietal emerge, blossom, proliferate. What a show! And then the stalks quietly die back, as if exiting stage right so as to allow for another star to step forward and shine. I love nothing more than to walk our long driveway, snipping greenery and blooms and all manner of fernery delights, bringing back enough to fill our house with vase after vase of tiny summery arrangements. If we are driving? Making our way to visit friends or headed down the mountain to the mailbox? Tim knows to allow an extra 20 minutes for the 50 times I’ll holler “Stop! There’s red bee balm!” and he’ll graciously accommodate. And there is this—also this—the incredible lift as butterflies and hummingbirds flit and feast with such exuberant joy!
It’s all right there in the wild open meadows and the unpaved drives of our remote stunning mountain, this sweet show of summer, this celebration of that which is served up day-to-day, season-to-season, generation-to-generation—this glorious gift from Mother Nature herself who seems practically giddy to remind us:
Oh the wonders of this world. And they’re here, my dear, just for YOU!
XXOO
Cathy, I send greetings from Rock Hill and that special swing down by the river. i also receive Maria Popova’s emails. She is just brilliant how she weaves all of the content. Having recently completed a forest bathing course, i like to use the phrase Wander to Wonder! Here’s to more noticing!
Teresa—”Wander to wonder”!!!!! Brilliant! I’m so happy to hear from you and so glad to learn this phrase. I have never tried official Forest Bathing, but I have always been intrigued. I love this nudge. Thank you!
So lovely. I, too, am a long time fan of Popova and recently ordered her newest book. She was a recent guest on a favorite podcast of mine, How I Write. David Perrell is the host. i think you would enjoy her appearance.
Thanks, Nancy. I’m not familiar with that podcast and you are correct—I would so love to hear Maria interviewed. I don’t believe I ever have. And it’s fun to find our admiration for Popova is yet another thing we have in common. Thanks for reading, for commenting, and for the tip! I appreciate it!
Oh, Cathy, your contemplation of wonder is so inspiring! I love the practice of “celebrating that which is served up day to day” as we observe nature. Beautiful writing!
And I do love that Mother Nature reminds us! Thanks, Melanie, for reading and for commenting. I appreciate it!
Your insight never ceases to fill me with wonder and appreciation.
Thank you, friend. I know you are one to notice the good, so I appreciate it!
*wonder-smitten” What a tertific word! Thanks for lifting my morning with your thoughts! Amy Jane
*WONDERful!
Haha! I see what you did there, Lucille! Thank you for reading and commenting, my friend!
I thought the same thing! Let’s “borrow” the phrase, what say you? Hugs!