I started writing a new song some time ago that was inspired by people’s faces.
Yes, I am a people watcher. I noticed how way too many adults just looked jammed up. They don’t smile; they look troubled and may not even see you when you are in their space. Jammed Up became the working title of my yet unfinished song.
The late Mike Yaconelli penned a book giving insight to this issue; it’s called “Dangerous Wonder”. In the intro he writes about the day his childlike wonder died and the book works through the possibilities of re-capturing what was lost. With refreshing (and sometimes painful) honesty he writes, “The day of enlightenment was a very sad day. I know now that something inside me died that day…it was the stuff of dreams and imagination-the place where dancing, singing, laughter and playing lived. Even at six, I understood that the possibility of flying wasn’t the point; it was the aliveness I felt when I thought I could fly; it was the voice I heard deep inside-a warm and loving voice, a living believing voice. Every time I heard that voice, I recognized who it was; God. But that day when I was just six years young, my God hearing went bad.”
Somehow adulthood brings too much stuff to the table. Let me rephrase that, somehow WE ALLOW adulthood to bring too much stuff to the table. You know, that stuff we are told we need and we MUST have, and blah, blah, blah. It all results in the loss and even makes foolishness of the possibilities of hearing that Still Small Voice. Yaconelli gives some of his own reasons, “Our lives become louder… with the increasing crescendo of our possessions and the soul smothering volume of endless activity” the hearing fades. Sound familiar?
There is a verse that says, “When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.” 1 Cor 13:11 nlt
There is a big difference between being childish and childlike. Being childish, in my opinion is not acceptable for an adult. Childlike, on the other hand, is an entirely different, life giving, life breathing story.
“…the possibility of flying wasn’t the point; it was the aliveness I felt when I thought I could fly.” When was the last time you felt that alive? Maybe it’s time to make some changes…maybe it’s time to play…I wonder?
I’ve lost and found my wonder several times. To find it I retrace my steps, (the same way I find most things), until I see where I went wrong, and I start again with new resolve. However, it is rare that I actually figure out why I lost it.
What are some reasons people lose their wonder?
Diana: Thanks for the question. I believe losing our wonder is synonymous with losing our childlikeness. As adults we know too much, or at least we think we do, and in our knowing we lose our ability to simply trust. The result; wonder is replaced by fear and we become jammed up adults. So the challenge for us as adults is to rediscover our childlikeness which is easier said than done.