Photo by Annie Nyle on Unsplash
Are you feeling battered or beat up? Whether emotionally, mentally, physically, relationally, or spiritually? As I’ve sat with my clients, observed people around me, and read media reports, it feels as though we are all tired in one way or another. Many people feel storms (literal and figurative) are beating them up so frequently there’s no way to catch their breath.
Recently I was in the kitchen cleaning up from dinner, during another thunderstorm, and I caught a bright flash out of the corner of my eye. I turned to look out the window while saying “Holy crap” and then a peal of thunder shook our house. That one was close. And I was surprised that I stood in my kitchen with a distinct sense of wonder.
As my husband and I now shake our heads in bewildered amazement at the numerous and sometimes violent storms we’ve had this summer, my emotion has turned from fear and concern, through annoyance and anger, to ending with wonder. I’ve had to move past my frustration to take each storm as it comes. Cliched, yet appropriate to most aspects of life.
Isn’t this the way that we react to most things, beginning with worry and getting (if we’re lucky) to wonder. Living from a place of wonder is so much more interesting than living from worry.
Worry lies to us by affirming that we can fix a situation if we think things through, come up with plans A through Z, or try to grasp control when we don’t have any. Worry gets us to use our energy trying to metally fix things when we can’t. I wonder how much energy I’ve used in worry, a.k.a anxiety, trying to control or fix things that are completely beyond me.
Wonder supports us by tapping into our sense of awe and curiosity. Wonder reminds us to be present to what is and what’s in front of us. Wonder gives us the freedom to observe what is happening and not grasp onto the first thing that grabs our attention. Wonder helps us be wise.
Moving from worry to wonder takes work. It’s hard work that makes us look at who we are and who we want to be, and often takes professional help (coaching, spiritual direction, therapy, etc.). If you are looking to move from worry to wonder, send us an email and we’ll chat to see if coaching can help.
Questions to ponder:
In which place do I plant my flag most often, worry or wonder?
What do I need to let go of to live more in wonder?
Stay curious friends!
Comments