I'm not all that old, really, but I am a few years past the stage in life where the whole day can be spent playing games. Part of growing up does mean taking on big responsibilities and becoming more mature with how you use your time. But growing up shouldn't mean the loss of wonder! How often do all of us go through our day and pass by scores of little beauties? What happened to the part of us that used to stop and stare at the perfect dandelion sprouting out of a crack in the sidewalk? I remember being amazed by such little things, but now I always look for the big moments of beauty, stepping over the little innocence of a dandelion.
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| Such innocence is captured by the dandelion |
I think this attitude is dangerous. What changed in us that we can't wonder at a dandelion? Sure, it's a weed, but aren't those cute yellow blossoms still bright and cheery? This hardening of heart towards the little is not entirely through a fault of our own. We probably picked it up from parents, siblings, friends etc. At one point we noticed that the adults didn't care like we did about the bouquet of dandelions we brought in from the yard. Where did their hardness come from? I am lead to believe that humanity in general has lost the appreciation of the little things. Instead we strive to advance ourselves in technology, reaching beyond the limits of science to entire new discoveries. This is good. So is the dandelion.
Wonder should remain with us in the way it is with the little children. If we could hold onto wonder I think we would find ourselves much more joyful every day. If we could just stop for a moment and think about how amazing the little things are, we might find a fresher outlook on the world around us. I know it made a difference in my day! I have two wonder-ful stories that really brought about this reflection today.
Moments of Wonder
On Saturday I used my day off school to catch up on some gardening projects around the house. Just recently I began a new garden which was in need of some added fertilizer. So, taking my wheelbarrow and spade, I attacked the mound of cow manure. As I went to do so, I unearthed a tiny salamander. It was so small and yet so perfect! His little yellow pattern spread over his back worked like a construction worker's vest, capturing my eye. When I picked him up I could admire his perfect little fingers and toes. This moment was one like when I was seven years old, hunting for the salamanders under our back porch. I knelt in the dirt and just enjoyed the perfect little creature. I also shared my discovery with my older sister, and we both marveled over it together like we were little again. The little amphibian went back to his habitat and I went about my day again.
| The perfect little salamander! |
As I went through the collection I was completely amazed by what I found in there. Whole starfish, now dried up, amazed me at the very thought that such things could be living creatures. The remains of barnacles baffled me at the sizes, ranging from shells the size of a pen tip to those the size of my fist. Other finds included the coral, the crab shell and even the remains of a sea urchin! I sat on the ground for almost an hour, just going through the collection and enjoying the task of giving it a new home.
| amazing sea shells |
What About You?
So, are you going to go and find some little beauty today? I really hope you do! Whoever you are, I'm sure a little smile at a dandelion will cheer you for a minute at least. I personally will be trying to look for more little beauty today as I go out for my longish walk. Don't let yourself be blinded from recognizing the little things! Even something as little as salamander toes was enough to get me to laugh. So let the little joys touch you today!
Sincerely,
Maggie
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