Remain Astonished

 I received a notification in my inbox the other day that helped me set an intention for the new year.  It was from the Waking Up app, and simply stated:

    "The chief prevention against getting old is to remain astonished"  Kevin Kelly

I found it to be both simple and beautiful in its simplicity, offering a potent reminder of how easy it can be to incorporate wonder into our days.  Astonishment can feel like a big, dramatic word to describe only the most unique or unexpected experiences that life has to offer.  Perhaps that is why we don't hear it included in conversations more often.  Much like the good china or best crystal we store away for that one day when it is appropriate to enjoy, astonishment feels like the emotion or experience we would rather hold onto for a truly extraordinary happening.  

But what would happen if we allowed ourselves to enjoy smaller, everyday experiences on a grander scale?  What if we acted more like children, who marvel and delight in even the simplest pleasures, like catching snowflakes on their tongues or splashing in mud puddles.  Not that we need to walk around looking for puddles to jump into, but we could work on finding joy and pleasure in more mundane aspects of our days.   

My practice of dipping in the lake has opened me up to this type of daily wonderment.  If you were to look at my phone's camera roll, you would see picture after picture of sunrises and beachscapes.  At a quick glance, they might all look the same, but upon deeper reflection, you would start to notice the small nuances in colour or cloud formation that make each one unique.  Aside from the beautiful vistas we are shown, the water temperature also provides a LOT of daily astonishment - especially on days when the lake has "flipped" becoming noticeably colder than the day before.  

While you may not be a cold dipper, or desire to become one, there are many other opportunities to welcome astonishment, wonder, and awe into your days.  Slowing down and taking in the world around you with eyes looking for the small things is a good place to start.  Allowing yourself to be vulnerable and open to feeling amazed at the simple miracles of crocuses fighting their way through the thawing ground in early spring, baby birds calling for their next meal, the glory of a glistening sunrise or sunset, the serene glow of a full moon...the list goes on.  Letting go of the feeling that as adults we are not meant to be rendered speechless by small wonders is an intention I plan on carrying into the coming year with me.  Life is much too short to not fully enjoy and appreciate the incredible world that surrounds us. 

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