As a kid, the world was full of magic and mystery. There were hidden worlds lurking behind every corner, waiting to be discovered.
Everything felt like an adventure because we didn’t know everything about the world yet. Now, as an adult, so many things feel mundane and ordinary. We’re no longer excited by simple things that used to thrill us as kids.
Instead of being amazed by the ordinary, we are jaded by it. Everything feels dull and uninspiring because we have stopped appreciating and looking to be inspired. We have stopped looking for wonders in the world around us. As a result, we have stopped seeing them too.
Life and living it take over senses when we assume responsibility for ourselves and others. But the irony is that meaning and happiness essentially depend on appreciating even the smallest things happening for and around us.
For a more meaningful life, we must make a conscious effort to see life through childlike eyes again — to find wonder in all things great and small once more — for without wonder; life can quickly become less exciting.
The great philosopher, civil rights activist, rabbi and theologian Abraham Joshua Heschel was best known for his ideas about the ethical life of faith. He also had a great deal to say about the meaning of life.
Heschel thought life without wonder was not worth living. He argued that the ability to feel wonder has vanished from our world, which is why it appears that only old men can live a life of wisdom.
“Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement. ….get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible; never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed,” he said.
Have you ever wonderd about the incredible breath of life? How do you interpret sunrise and sunset? Do the little things (the sight and sound of nature feel you with awe and appreciation for life?
Or do you see everything through the lens of logic and rationalism? Does everything need to make sense before we appreciate it?
Living in radical amazement is the practice of being continually surprised, delighted, and awestruck by what you experience in life. It’s about not taking anything for granted and being open to the possibility that a miracle of life could be around the corner at any moment.
It also means deliberately choosing to see the best possible outcome in every situation while staying present and present-minded. It means to be resilient and optimistic even when it feels like things are falling apart.
It means being flexible and open to new possibilities, no matter how crazy they seem. Radical amazement is the only way to thrive in this world truly.
When you are in a state of constant amazement, you are fully engaged in your life each and every day. And that, dear reader, is what radical amazement is all about.
Awe is the beginning of happiness
“What is life without wonder?” — Gillian Duce
When you start seeing the world through the radical amazement lens, you appreciate things more. You live in the present because you are here and now, witnessing the wonder of life and your place and influence on earth.
When we live a life of radical amazement, we see our world with fresh new eyes. We see things as if for the first time, and we recognize that the world is filled with mystery and wonder.
A life of radical amazement forces us out of our comfort zone to see things as they really are and not just as we expect them to be. It shakes us up so we can see what’s right in front of our noses without seeing it.
It makes us realize how much we take for granted — from the taste of food to the blue sky above our heads. And it reminds us how much there is to discover about everything around us.
In radical amazement, we ask better life questions. And demand more of our conscious self. We do more for our present self.
“Never once in my life did I ask God for success or wisdom or power or fame. I asked for wonder, and he gave it to me. Wonder rather than doubt is the root of all knowledge. The beginning of our happiness lies in the understanding that life without wonder is not worth living,” says Heschel.
Wonder is something special. It’s a feeling that gives life meaning and makes you appreciate everything around you. Numerous studies have shown the benefits of being able to look at the world with wonder.
“The latest research suggests that taking the time to experience awe — whether through engaging with nature, enjoying great art or music, or even bingeing on breathtaking YouTube videos — may be a pathway to improving your life and relationships,” writes Summer Allen of The Greater Good Magazine.
People who can see the small details, who can stop and admire the little things, tend to be happier and live more fulfilling lives.
There is so much to learn and see in this world, and there’s no better time than right now to make the most of it. We can do this by taking advantage of every opportunity to experience new things and try new things out.
The only thing that matters when it comes to life is how you choose to live it. And there is no better way to live than with radical amazement.
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This post was previously published on Thomas Oppong’s blog.
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