I have just found your post,
dear Barb,
and love the link you put up
for Maria Popova’s site,
reflecting on ‘Wonder’.
The Marginalian
is one of my first go-to’s
when I open my email . . .
I resonate
with so much that she writes about . . .
I wish I knew more about her.
Thank you . . . ♥
Sometimes
I sit down with pen and ink,
having only an idea
of what I want to draw,
even when I place a bowl of flowers
before me on the table . . .
sometimes
I take my papers
and find a sleeping cat,
or a decanter of brandy,
or a few sponges tossed carelessly by a leaking faucet,
always
intending to draw what I see.
And then
something flickers by . . .
a change in the light
or a movement I don’t expect.
So today
I decided to create something of wonder
using both what I could see
and what I could only feel
and let the road take me where it would.
I let go of one intention
and imagined another,
and what happened
was a door opening in my own imagination.
I let go
and allowed another part of me
out of its hiding place
so it could surprise and delight me
more than any intention I might have had. ♥
“I let go and allowed another part of me out of its hiding place so it could surprise and delight me more than any intention I might have had.” I recall a talk from Alan Watts where a portion of his talk was specifically about intentions. He reminded his audience of the old saying; The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Today there was space for wonder when perceiving the utter beauty of flowering trees all over the place when I opened the windows in the morning. White and rose overflowing tender beauty, it was such a beautiful beginning of the day, which then became busy. Still, there was space for being open to wonder – the smell of the incense wavering throught the open door of the shop selling them next to my working place when passing by on my was to the office; evoking associations of smoke rising to give joy to Buddha and peace and healing to kindred hearts and to our terribly wounded world. Tomorrow I will hope to play my handpan, exercising, which I am missing a lot. So it is time. May you all have moments full of wonder and beauty.
I have been intentionally going outside nearly every morning for the past week or so. I have been able to hear a few birds and an occasional wild turkey, see blue sky or clouds, and feel the early morning breeze. It’s a peaceful time to be out, before many in my neighborhood are moving outside. I plan to continue this practice as I find wonder in the natural world.
I’ve been meaning to do the same. Stepping outside yesterday into the fresh air, surrounded by birdcalls, made me pause and just breathe and appreciate.
Today unfortunately has been all rush, no wonder, as of lunchtime. Have to get outside in the afternoon!
This has been very easy lately, since I’m currently in Hawaii on vacation. New birds, new trees, fish fish fish, and sea turtles. If you’re not awestruck here, you have some work to do.
I have been here before, but my wife is here for the first time. It’s been nice to see her fall in love with the place. I try to stay in the beginners mind and absorb new and different information about this wonderful place.
I am learning about the geology, the plants and animals, and the native peoples history and beliefs.
The aging process or as some call it, the age of diminishment, provides more space for slowing down than I once needed and lets me know I can and need to do this more, dear Antoinette.
Thank you for this relevant reflection.
Yes it’s natures flow isn’t it Joseph? The need for speed changes and grows. Again this comes to mind : acceptance is nothing we can force ourselves to do, but we can let go of the desire for whatever we think we lack.
I think being grateful does create space for wonder. It calls us into the moment. We don’t fight, flee or freeze. We face and allow ourselves to feel what is. Gratefulness leads us to greater insight and fosters willingness.
I am sitting on my porch in the morning sunlight watching the clouds form and float by. The sky is so blue. Birds are singing their happy songs.
The landscape before me is emerald green, glistening with new life.
I am taking in the wonder of all that my eyes can see. I am in the Now enjoying it all.
☁️⛅️🌱🌳
🕊️🩷
I’ll find some time to sit out on my patio when it warms up so that I can watch the birds, butterflies, and whatever else happens in the area.
I am home all day instead of my usual teaching. Don’t know if I have tonsilitis or laryngitis, but my glands are swollen and my voice hasn’t been right since yesterday. My husband said I sound like I’ve been smoking Virginia Slims, and I definitely do not smoke 😂 I am grateful for virtual doctor visits, which I am going to line up shortly.
Thank your hubby from me for the out loud chuckle, he gave me with the Virginia Slims Line. My lovely wife Cheryl even asked me what’s so funny. We both knew a lady who was a smoke ’em’ if you got ’em’, kind of smoker and she certainly had a raspy, harsh voice. Healing vibes your way SunnyPatti!
Ouch! Please take good care of yourself and get the rest you need. Throat issues are such a bummer. Hope you get whatever medication might help and heal-up soon.
Allow some short pauses during studying just to look away from the screen, enjoy my backyard view, and my succulents on the window, which is how I intentionally let wonder enter my mind. Happy Tuesday to everyone!
I had to look up the lyrics of one of my favorite songs to post my thoughts this morning. “Open mine eyes that I may see, Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me, Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine…” Song of the Soul by Cris Williamson: If I’m willing to say a pray for Opened eyes, that will provide the space for me to see the beauty, wonder, and awe in this day. It’s been a rough and exhausting road these last two weeks with being financially scammed, Fear overwhelmed me. This morning, my heart is full of Big Thanks and gratitude for the many on these pages, who sent supportive thoughts, poems, and prayers. Blessings to You this day.🫶☮️
When I need an uplift, I look for those stories of people helping people. I can stop what I am doing and think about those who shaped my life and molded me into who I am now.
Give yourself the gift of free bi-monthly inspiration including uplifting articles, diverse stories, supportive practices, videos, and more, delivered with heart to your inbox.
I’m coming back to share a link to s piece by Maria Popova on wonder, with many wonderful thoughts, quotations and links https://www.themarginalian.org/2026/05/04/hermann-hesse-wonder-butterflies/.
I have just found your post,
dear Barb,
and love the link you put up
for Maria Popova’s site,
reflecting on ‘Wonder’.
The Marginalian
is one of my first go-to’s
when I open my email . . .
I resonate
with so much that she writes about . . .
I wish I knew more about her.
Thank you . . . ♥
Enjoy Hawaii, Charlie! I went once with my Dad. We walked and talked, ate fast food, walked and talked some more. It was great!
Sometimes
I sit down with pen and ink,
having only an idea
of what I want to draw,
even when I place a bowl of flowers
before me on the table . . .
sometimes
I take my papers
and find a sleeping cat,
or a decanter of brandy,
or a few sponges tossed carelessly by a leaking faucet,
always
intending to draw what I see.
And then
something flickers by . . .
a change in the light
or a movement I don’t expect.
So today
I decided to create something of wonder
using both what I could see
and what I could only feel
and let the road take me where it would.
I let go of one intention
and imagined another,
and what happened
was a door opening in my own imagination.
I let go
and allowed another part of me
out of its hiding place
so it could surprise and delight me
more than any intention I might have had. ♥
Your reflection reminds me of a movie I just watched last night, IF (Imaginary Friends), with Ryan Reynolds… it was cute and good.
🙂
“I let go and allowed another part of me out of its hiding place so it could surprise and delight me more than any intention I might have had.” I recall a talk from Alan Watts where a portion of his talk was specifically about intentions. He reminded his audience of the old saying; The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Thank you for your reflection dear Sparrow.
Sometimes,
dear Joseph,
it is a good idea
to step off of the beaten path. 🙂
Today there was space for wonder when perceiving the utter beauty of flowering trees all over the place when I opened the windows in the morning. White and rose overflowing tender beauty, it was such a beautiful beginning of the day, which then became busy. Still, there was space for being open to wonder – the smell of the incense wavering throught the open door of the shop selling them next to my working place when passing by on my was to the office; evoking associations of smoke rising to give joy to Buddha and peace and healing to kindred hearts and to our terribly wounded world. Tomorrow I will hope to play my handpan, exercising, which I am missing a lot. So it is time. May you all have moments full of wonder and beauty.
I have been intentionally going outside nearly every morning for the past week or so. I have been able to hear a few birds and an occasional wild turkey, see blue sky or clouds, and feel the early morning breeze. It’s a peaceful time to be out, before many in my neighborhood are moving outside. I plan to continue this practice as I find wonder in the natural world.
I’ve been meaning to do the same. Stepping outside yesterday into the fresh air, surrounded by birdcalls, made me pause and just breathe and appreciate.
Today unfortunately has been all rush, no wonder, as of lunchtime. Have to get outside in the afternoon!
I hope you were able to experience some wonder of nature in the afternoon, Barb!
This has been very easy lately, since I’m currently in Hawaii on vacation. New birds, new trees, fish fish fish, and sea turtles. If you’re not awestruck here, you have some work to do.
I have been here before, but my wife is here for the first time. It’s been nice to see her fall in love with the place. I try to stay in the beginners mind and absorb new and different information about this wonderful place.
I am learning about the geology, the plants and animals, and the native peoples history and beliefs.
It’s a wonderful thing,
dear Charlie,
to share this time away with your wife . . .
now you can experience the wonder
through both of your eyes. ♥
So glad you and your wife are having such a wondrous time!
Now I need to make space for chilling out and slowing down ! I wonder if I can do this more ?
The aging process or as some call it, the age of diminishment, provides more space for slowing down than I once needed and lets me know I can and need to do this more, dear Antoinette.
Thank you for this relevant reflection.
Yes it’s natures flow isn’t it Joseph? The need for speed changes and grows. Again this comes to mind : acceptance is nothing we can force ourselves to do, but we can let go of the desire for whatever we think we lack.
I think being grateful does create space for wonder. It calls us into the moment. We don’t fight, flee or freeze. We face and allow ourselves to feel what is. Gratefulness leads us to greater insight and fosters willingness.
🙏
Thank you for this succinct description.
❤️🙏
CAROL ANN / love it ! So true ! Thank you .🤩
I can surrender to what is.
I am sitting on my porch in the morning sunlight watching the clouds form and float by. The sky is so blue. Birds are singing their happy songs.
The landscape before me is emerald green, glistening with new life.
I am taking in the wonder of all that my eyes can see. I am in the Now enjoying it all.
☁️⛅️🌱🌳
🕊️🩷
Continue to enjoy the easy stretches as usual.
I’ll find some time to sit out on my patio when it warms up so that I can watch the birds, butterflies, and whatever else happens in the area.
I am home all day instead of my usual teaching. Don’t know if I have tonsilitis or laryngitis, but my glands are swollen and my voice hasn’t been right since yesterday. My husband said I sound like I’ve been smoking Virginia Slims, and I definitely do not smoke 😂 I am grateful for virtual doctor visits, which I am going to line up shortly.
I hope you feel better, healing energy your way 🙂
Thank your hubby from me for the out loud chuckle, he gave me with the Virginia Slims Line. My lovely wife Cheryl even asked me what’s so funny. We both knew a lady who was a smoke ’em’ if you got ’em’, kind of smoker and she certainly had a raspy, harsh voice. Healing vibes your way SunnyPatti!
Feel better soon Sunnypatti! Maybe allergies?
That sounds mean and painful. Sending loving energy your way.
Ouch! Please take good care of yourself and get the rest you need. Throat issues are such a bummer. Hope you get whatever medication might help and heal-up soon.
I hope that soon,
dear SunnyPatti,
you are feeling better . . .
treat yourself well. ♥
Feel better soon Sunnypatti!
Oh dear. Tea and rest and time outdoors should all help. Feel better!
Allow some short pauses during studying just to look away from the screen, enjoy my backyard view, and my succulents on the window, which is how I intentionally let wonder enter my mind. Happy Tuesday to everyone!
I feel very kindly towards your succulents
as do you,
dear Ngoc . . . 😉
My Ngoc, what you’re doing requires a lot of brain energy. Even a short pause can go a long ways.
I had to look up the lyrics of one of my favorite songs to post my thoughts this morning. “Open mine eyes that I may see, Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me, Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine…” Song of the Soul by Cris Williamson: If I’m willing to say a pray for Opened eyes, that will provide the space for me to see the beauty, wonder, and awe in this day. It’s been a rough and exhausting road these last two weeks with being financially scammed, Fear overwhelmed me. This morning, my heart is full of Big Thanks and gratitude for the many on these pages, who sent supportive thoughts, poems, and prayers. Blessings to You this day.🫶☮️
🤗
Blessings to too, Carla. 🙏
Wow that is very scary!
Sending a big hug your way!
Hugs back!
Namaste,
dear Carla . . . ♥
Ah, music, songs. Thank you for the reminder, Carla. I need songs to get through today. I hope your path is easing.
🤗🙏🏻 for you Carla. 🩷
When I need an uplift, I look for those stories of people helping people. I can stop what I am doing and think about those who shaped my life and molded me into who I am now.