Reawakening Wonder
Your face gazes upwards as you stand beneath the vastness of the star-studded night sky… A stream of thoughts flitters by…
Where did it all come from?
How does it all work?
Why is it all here?
As children, we witnessed the world through this lens of pure wonder. We felt life to be a grand adventure—a magical kingdom waiting to be explored. Our minds were like sponges, absorbing knowledge effortlessly, learning at a pace we rarely experience as adults.
What happened to that sense of wonder?
Where did that natural curiosity go?
It didn't just vanish…
That childlike ability of wonder is still there, simply buried beneath layers of conditioning and expectation, waiting to again be excavated and rediscovered…
“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.”
—Socrates
Within each of us is a natural ability to learn with curiosity and ease. (And yes, this statement might pique your interest, given the high rates of ADHD these days.)
We make the mistake of thinking that our brains are only malleable in childhood—that we become rigid and set in our ways as adults.
This doesn’t necessarily have to be true.
With what modern science now knows about neuroplasticity, we understand that our brains remain adaptable throughout adulthood. This means that our brains are continuously shifting and morphing, and we can train them to return to this state of openness and ease similar to when we were children.
This doesn’t mean we revert to a state of immaturity, casting off all responsibility and remaining like Peter Pan and the Lost Boys in Neverland. We don’t have to abandon the knowledge and skill we've gained through years of experience…
We can, however, combine our inherent childlike wonder and curiosity with our mature capacities for critical thought and expression. With this, we channel our passion into purposeful service to the world.
So—how do we reawaken wonder so we can truly be balanced leaders and contributors?
“Keep me away from the wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the greatness which does not bow before children.”
—Khalil Gibran
I invite you to take a few moments to simply let your mind wander...
Allow your breath to deepen, filling your lower belly. With each exhale, let your muscles relax.
Notice the calmness that arises simply from breathing and observing. Let this sensation of calmness thoroughly sink into your bones…
Now, take a moment to gently scan your surroundings. Observe even the most minute of details.
Smile gently. Reflect on how fortunate this moment is. Bask in the beauty of what surrounds you.
How rarely we allow ourselves these awe-inspired moments!
Yet, in this state of presence, engagement, awe, and gratitude, you may find your mind becoming more relaxed and open. You may notice a renewed sense of vibrancy.
From this feeling of openness and vibrance, unique thoughts again begin to emerge from the void, seemingly out of nowhere.
This is the state of wonder.
In this space, we can play with and shape with the unique thoughts that arise, allowing them to pave the way for explorative, analytical thinking.
"The unexamined life is not worth living."
—Socrates
Perhaps recently you've felt mentally stagnant or found yourself relying too heavily on AI to do your thinking for you. You might feel mentally dull or tired, struggling to think, learn, or focus as you once did.
The good news is that these skills can be re-developed through deliberate practice—starting with wonder.
As unique thoughts begin to emerge from a state of wonder, we can train ourselves to redirect our attention to these thoughts rather than letting them drift away unexamined. This is where concentration and focus come into play, allowing us to follow the chain of thoughts more deeply.
A process of cognitive structuring takes place…
Once fleeting thoughts become more dense,
they consolidate into fully-formed ideas,
and these ideas condense even further, evolving into well-structured concepts.
Finally, these structured concepts are solidified into the material world through communication, creativity, and, ultimately, action, transforming them into tangible outcomes.
“The more we appreciate the wonders of life, the more we realize that there’s more to be learned, more to experience. Each moment of wonder invites us into deeper understanding, opening us to the vastness of the world around us.”
—David Steindl-Rast
To live healthy, purposeful lives and make a positive impact on the world, it’s important to take responsibility for every aspect of ourselves, including our ability to learn, think, write, and communicate.
In a world filled with distractions and rapid change, fear and uncertainty often limit our capacities and stifle curiosity. It's perhaps easy to let the fear of the world’s dangers cloud its beauty and mystery…
But by reconnecting with the wonder we once naturally experienced as children, we can break free from fear and open ourselves to a life of greater insight, creativity, growth, and purposeful action.
May we find the courage to step back from the noise, create space for wonder to emerge, and allow it to guide us toward more meaningful and engaged lives.
Max Kristopher Komes
www.MaxKomes.com
Max Komes is a master’s-level mental health professional and author in Pensacola, Florida. His philosophy is that each and every individual holds wellsprings of wisdom within them, and with the right tools, can access this wisdom to live purposeful, healthy, and resilient lives.
How You Can Support:
1-1 Session: if you find that these messages resonate with you, take the next step in rediscovering mental clarity by scheduling a session with Max.
Free Mental Health Resources: if you’re looking for more mental health tools like guided meditations and daily journals, visit our Free Resources Page.
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This writing is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you have imminent health concerns, please call 1-800-NAMI.
