Awe-Some !

I came across a fun book recently called the Awe-manac by Jill Badonsky. It's a daily reader of sorts that promises "a daily dose of wonder." She is really quite creative with her Daily Soul Vitamins and such AND her illustrations are adorable. Oh, and she is very funny. There are a few things about it that I, personally, don't like, but I LOVE the whole purpose of the book. The author encourages her readers to see and/or find the wonder in each moment of life. What a concept, huh? She says, "We can live with wonder if we have or are open to, the ability to recognize the deep pleasure possible in a simple moment. But this ability is a skill like any other - it may take time and practice. We are impatient, we want to apply life-changing concepts to banish our challenges immediately. When the change is not sustained after the enthusiasm dies down, we often just give up instead of rinse and repeat." I like that. Rinse and repeat.

I love the idea of finding wonder in everything. We live in a seemingly increasingly negative society and it becomes a very natural thing for a lot of us to just live negatively and not realize it. Even to think it's normal and justified. I ask myself, "what will happen if I don't think critically, negatively, judgmentally? It's my right. It's American. It will seem as if I don't care! THAT'S it! It will look as if I don't care. Aaaannnnd, then what?

And then nothing. And then peace. And then quiet. And then wonder...