This quote came across my desk recently, and I realized it captures the essence of our blog, so I wanted to share it:

People travel to wonder

at the height of mountains,

at the huge waves of the seas,

at the long courses of rivers,

at the vast compass of the oceans,

at the circular motion of the stars

…and they pass by themselves without wondering.

~ Saint Augustine

Isn’t that just breathtaking?  We pass by ourselves (and each other) without really stopping to marvel at what we are encountering.  If we take the time to pause and consider, we find our very nature and our reason for existence can be as compelling as the mountains, the oceans, the stars, the universe!

As human beings, we are as incredible and as inexplicable as all that we see around us.  Look at us!  Miraculous creatures with bodies, minds, thoughts, emotions, imagination, creativity, compassion, ingenuity, talents of all sorts, the list goes on and on. How did we come to be?  Why are we here?  What are we capable of?  So many questions to answer. Where do we begin in our attempts to understand?

Honestly, I don’t think it matters where we begin.  I think it simply matters that we begin!  Pick a point, any point.  The key is to stop taking life for granted.  Open your eyes.  Open your mind.  Do you know who we really are?  Are we more than our bodies?  What about thoughts and emotions?  Do they happen to us or are we creating them?  Who / what created us?  And perhaps most importantly, what is our purpose?  Simply put, wonder is the first step, and it unlocks the door to never-ending exploration.

Clearly, humankind has been attempting to answer these questions for millennia, and theories abound. No one knows for certain. Each of us adopts our own set of beliefs, and those beliefs shape our experience here every single day. For example, if we believe the universe is a collection of random events, we live life just waiting to see what happens next.  On the other hand, if we believe there is intention behind every creation, we may be inclined to participate more consciously by finding our purpose and living accordingly.

Want to change your life? Start by identifying what your beliefs are.  Do they satisfy your questions?  Do they give you a road map to a happy and fulfilling life?  If not, perhaps it’s time for a bit of wondering, time to question the answers you’ve been given.  When we ask the big questions, we begin a journey of exploration and the answers we discover, I believe, will inevitably lead to a more satisfying, joy-filled life.  The alternative is to remain in a sort of static existence, responding or reacting to what life presents without awareness of the opportunity we have to shape our own lives.

This fascination with life’s big questions inspires me daily.  I am curious about the nature of reality.  I want to explore deeply my Spiritual essence and better understand my humanity. I want to know how the two collaborate in creating my life experiences.  At this point on my journey, it is my belief that we are not here to act out a predetermined script.  I believe we are here to write the script, to create joyful lives for ourselves and others. Have I always believed this? Heavens, no!  But being led by curiosity, I have read books, taken classes, listened to lectures and podcasts, talked with others about what they’ve discovered, and it has enriched my life immeasurably.  I believe indulging your own curiosity will enrich your life as well.

Back to wonder… if we want to experience jaw-dropping awe, it’s as close to us as our next breath, our next thought or our next sensation. The ordinary is truly extraordinary!  What do you wonder about?  Where have you explored to find answers?  What have you discovered?  And if you haven’t been exploring, are you ready to begin?

I hope you’ll unwrap the gift of wonder.

~ Mary

p.s.  If you’re looking for a place to start exploring, check out words from our fellow sojourners or peruse some resources on our site!