Today’s #Reverb10 prompt couldn’t have come at a more perfect time:
Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?
When this prompt popped into my inbox about 11 PM last night, I had been sitting in silence, with just a single soft lamp casting light around a corner of the living room, staring out the window at the falling snow. The first snowfall is magical every year and always inspires a sense of wonder and smallness. (Even my very first snowfall in this house, which dumped a full foot of snow, was magical.)
Throughout the year, I’ve been taking – and making – more time to enjoy the wonder of the world around me. I’ve come to enjoy the marvels of a quiet house, with no sounds beyond the ticking of the clock and the snoring cat. I spend more time than ever outside, ostensibly to run, but really, it’s to be outside. Running or walking or just being in a place where you’re alone and small, surrounded by beauty and grace, is wonderful.
And it helps bring perspective to the chaos and busy rush of daily life. After a crazy week of deadlines and work and trying to squeeze it all in, twenty minutes in the backyard, lying in the grass and gazing up at the stars, listening to the chirp of crickets, makes it all better. While part of me shrieks that those twenty minutes could be better spent cleaning the bathroom or finishing a project, I’m getting better at silencing that voice.
Because taking time to appreciate the wonder around us makes everything else worth it.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a driveway to shovel. I rather enjoy the quiet of the world when it’s snowing, when sounds are muffled and no one else it out. I don’t bother with music – I just marvel at the Currier & Ives scenery and am thankful that I can manage it by myself.
This post is part of #Reverb10, a month-long project to reflect on the year nearly gone. Read all my #Reverb10 posts, or learn more.
Adventures of the Former Elginista 
Snow wonder is such a beautiful quiet wonder, have been enjoying it all week and I fully concur with being outside to boost the sense of wonder! Although after digging my car out today I think I’ve earned a hot bath and will be staying inside for the rest of the day!
YES! The snow today is indeed a wonderous experience. Heading out for a run and finding myself at the top of the NU campus, a blanket of white snow and the waves lapping the shore, I just had to stop and take a few moments to take it in, enjoy the quiet, natural beauty of where we live. I feel so lucky to be able to RUN to a spot that feels so far from city life, and is yet only a few miles away.
Sounds gorgeous, Jenn! I wish I was closer to a campus. As an undergrad (long before I was a runner!) I loved strolling through the quads on a quiet, snowy day.
Have you ever tried meditation? I’ve been more regular about it this year, and I’ve found that it really helps me to be more mindful of appreciating these kinds of things.
I’m really liking these posts, by the way.
I haven’t ever done any “formal” meditation – just try to make an effort to step back from the hustle and bustle. Do you have an approach you recommend?
Thanks!
Check out this book: http://www.amazon.com/How-Meditate-Self-Discovery-Lawrence-LeShan/dp/0316880620 (unfortunately GBPL doesn’t have it.)
The exercise the author suggests starting with is breath counting: spend 15 minutes trying to focus counting your breaths from 1 to 4 over and over again. It can be quite frustrating and makes 15 minutes seem as long as it possibly could, but whenever I manage to do it every day for a few weeks, I start to see definite benefits.
Thanks for the tip, Craig! I’ve added it to my list and will check it out. Sounds simple enough to try.