A Renaissance of Wonder

[skysidhe]

I saw a blue heron pass over my head the other day while I was picking up the mail. I love nature anyway but because circumstances could be better for me I tempted to think it could be a good omen or a sign of good luck.

I know it is not really but as I pondered my inclination to even go there and after reading this thread title I was asking myself if the ability to wonder at the beauty of nature is either hindered or helped by either desperate times or times of abundance.

At first I thought perhaps I appreciated the site of the great blue heron more so during these dull times because I need to grasp on to something to give me hope;then I thought no I would probably have appreciated the grace of the blue heron in that pure state of wonder without shrouding it in superstition and symbolism if circumstances were better.

I am still wanting to hock my sense of wonder for an idol of the moment. The renaissance of wonder obliterated by immediate need.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Looking at the Hubble pictures, or images from a microscope, even pondering the natural order of things, can bring that wonder to the forefront. But the intrusion of the doorbell, phone, or realizing you're in the oncoming lane, tends to demand immediate and full attention. Our biggest problem is those attention demanding moments, are coming closer together.

We've all... even us old farts... grown up during a time of exploding scientific discovery, and dissemination. Which means the average Jr High School kid knows more than a Baccalaureate of 100 years ago. I think that's numbed us, somewhat, to just how fucking incredible the world around us is. I was thinking, when reading about Jinx's home schooling field trips, how lucky she is to be re-exposed herself, to the wonders of simple things like tadpoles.

When Grandpa was traveling 10 miles by horse, or spending hours cutting hay with a scythe, he was free to let his mind go where it would. Most of us don't have that luxury today, but we've ourselves to blame for using the time we do have, worrying about what might not happen. Paying interest on money we didn't borrow.

[jinx]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

I was thinking, when reading about Jinx's home schooling field trips, how lucky she is to be re-exposed herself, to the wonders of simple things like tadpoles.

I couldn't agree more... I love my job.
And I love the tadpoles as much as I love the internet - the ability to say "let's find out" *click* when the kids ask a question is damn near as magical as the golden swirl of a tadpoles digestive tract.