Living in Wonderland

Life is suffering. This is a truth that we found out through the years. It is a drab, exhausting, and sometimes excruciating ordeal. But was life like this always?

Even if you are too old to remember where you put your glasses, you would most likely remember your childhood. It was a wonderful time. The flowers seemed more colorful, every new sight mouth-gapping, each new person you met so cool, and everything magical. Since growing up, the color drained off from everything.

Yes, we are amused sometimes. A YouTube short or Instagram reel can fuel such a feeling. But it dies down in a few seconds. But to plod through life, we need lasting awe, like the one we experienced in our childhood.

An antidote

“He who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead; his eyes are closed.”

– Albert Einstein

Before going on to state how we can achieve this awe, I need to say how it can change our lives.
Firstly the feeling of awe sweeps aside boredom and depression, common to modern life. Our hearts expand with the long-lost magical feeling. It invigorates us and makes life more entertaining.

Second, the grandioseness inspires us to grow. Growth mindset activates only when it is thus inspired. Naturally, we expand our horizons when we are in awe.

Third, our petty issues disappear. Imagine the picture of Earth from a space station. The enthralling hugeness, the deep blue oceans, and the great green landmasses make us realize that we are but an atom in this vast world, and that our office politics and relationship issues are insignificant.

Imagine the freedom that comes with these.

How to feel the awe

Now, the feeling of awe does not easily come to our seasoned minds. There are, however, some things we can do to remedy that:

1. Traveling

Traveling and experiencing new lands is a great way to feel awe. High mountains, deep oceans, dense jungles, beautiful landscapes, and amazing architecture can all inspire wonder in us.

2. Great works of art

Haven’t you forgotten yourself and stood flabbergasted by the music you love? Be it paintings, sculptures, music, or literature, they are enough to elevate our psyche to a realm of joy and awe.

3. Inspiring ideas

Great ideas have put people in awe through centuries. Ideas of liberty, equality, religion, and so on have always inspired people. Personally, philosophy has attracted me as a repository of human wisdom and continues to inspire me.

Keeping the awe

The feeling of awe can be a wonderful and profound experience. It would be a blessing to feel it perennially. Sometimes it might be just the factor that we miss from our life.

Find a way to live in wonder. You might realize, like I did, that it is the best way to live.

Thank you for reading. Please post your opinions in the comment box.