I love this notion reminder of the value of returning to childlike wonder.
I’ve recently found myself needing to start over on a number of levels. I was talking to a dear friend about the different lenses through which I needed to decide if this or that path would work. “And the lens of joy,” she remarked matter-of-factly,. It hit me that I hadn’t even thought of this, rather I was focusing solely on the “ practical.” I think I’ll add joy and wonder. Thank you, Leslie.
Thank you for letting me know how my thoughts resonated today. As you know, it is so affirming when a reader shares that connection with the writer. I'm intrigued by your awareness of your lenses and the ability to choose which you use. It has surprised me how just 'slowing down' has helped me to be able to appreciate the everyday wonder again. You and Vivian have had a rough year. I hope that 2026 will be good and filled with wonder and joy.
I really enjoyed this, Leslie. This morning I was delighted to catch sight of a charm of oriental greenfinches, a bird I'd rarely seen here before. Such a delight.
"A charm" is a perfect word for a group of greenfinches! The words for 'a collective' are often so much fun. I had to go look up a group of herons--"a siege of herons" or less commonly, "a sedge" or "a scattering." My photo of the Black-crowned Night Herons does look like a siege. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Today I picked up the book of poems by Karen Solie from the library and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
Oh yes, you are so right. I look up at the mottled owls in my tree and say thank you for being there, but then I might take a photo, is that violation? I so appreciate them that I want to share their presence with others... They are safe as they are so high up so I think that it is appreciation, rather than violation, at least I hope so.
I think it is appreciation too. Photos make others aware of them, want to protect them. I don't think there is an answer to the thoughts, perhaps just an awareness that you have been received something from the contact. It reminds me of cultures that thank the animals they have killed for food. honor the plants that give them fruit. I think I am looking for an awareness that dissolves the objectification, that recognizes the other being and that you have been given something from them. Thanks for sharing the thought, Rosalind.
What a great question, Leslie. I don't have an answer right now, but I will percolate it.
In Sanskrit, the word Adbhuta describes the wonder and awe you write about—that miraculous child-like astonishment. I fell in love with the word the moment I heard it because just saying it sparked a bit of that feeling.
I really appreciate the conversations here, it is helping me expand the thought. How wonderful to hear new words for such a wonderful sense of being alive. I think that writing makes me want new words for concepts that have meaning--wonder and awe are good complete words--but I am 'used' to them. Perhaps I just need to skip to gratitude for the gift. I look forward to your percolations!
Yes! I so wish that I spoke and understood another language. One is the ability to communicate and learn from others. Another is that sometimes what I'm hoping to convey through my words doesn't carry the same gravitas or nuance that another language brings. Knowing a few words in Sanskrit has given me that. But I'm so limited in my knowledge.
A valid point. Documentaries feel like that sometimes. Then again, what about the birds watching us when we are unaware of their presence? This goes for other animals too in the countryside!
Thank you, Maria, for expanding the thought. As I make my way through the comments that touch on the query, I realize I have a discomfort with any sense of inappropriate power. Truly, I am certain, the animals do not care that they are watched, they just care about safety. As I think more and ponder the comments, I think I need to add gratitude to my wonder and acknowledge that intentional or not, I am being given a gift by the unaware animal. Somehow, gratitude seems to even up the experience. Thanks for pondering with me.
Your enjoyment of birds up close and personal is such a beautiful extension of your love of all in the botanical world. I can feel your joy and you look through your binoculars!
Thank you Cathy, as I make my way through the thoughtful comments here, I am realizing that gratitude to the animal is part of what I want to express to even out the imbalance of awareness of the contact.
I love this notion reminder of the value of returning to childlike wonder.
I’ve recently found myself needing to start over on a number of levels. I was talking to a dear friend about the different lenses through which I needed to decide if this or that path would work. “And the lens of joy,” she remarked matter-of-factly,. It hit me that I hadn’t even thought of this, rather I was focusing solely on the “ practical.” I think I’ll add joy and wonder. Thank you, Leslie.
Thank you for letting me know how my thoughts resonated today. As you know, it is so affirming when a reader shares that connection with the writer. I'm intrigued by your awareness of your lenses and the ability to choose which you use. It has surprised me how just 'slowing down' has helped me to be able to appreciate the everyday wonder again. You and Vivian have had a rough year. I hope that 2026 will be good and filled with wonder and joy.
💕
I really enjoyed this, Leslie. This morning I was delighted to catch sight of a charm of oriental greenfinches, a bird I'd rarely seen here before. Such a delight.
"A charm" is a perfect word for a group of greenfinches! The words for 'a collective' are often so much fun. I had to go look up a group of herons--"a siege of herons" or less commonly, "a sedge" or "a scattering." My photo of the Black-crowned Night Herons does look like a siege. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Today I picked up the book of poems by Karen Solie from the library and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.
"Siege of herons" does indeed seem perfect!
I hope you enjoy Solie's poems!
Oh yes, you are so right. I look up at the mottled owls in my tree and say thank you for being there, but then I might take a photo, is that violation? I so appreciate them that I want to share their presence with others... They are safe as they are so high up so I think that it is appreciation, rather than violation, at least I hope so.
I think it is appreciation too. Photos make others aware of them, want to protect them. I don't think there is an answer to the thoughts, perhaps just an awareness that you have been received something from the contact. It reminds me of cultures that thank the animals they have killed for food. honor the plants that give them fruit. I think I am looking for an awareness that dissolves the objectification, that recognizes the other being and that you have been given something from them. Thanks for sharing the thought, Rosalind.
What a great question, Leslie. I don't have an answer right now, but I will percolate it.
In Sanskrit, the word Adbhuta describes the wonder and awe you write about—that miraculous child-like astonishment. I fell in love with the word the moment I heard it because just saying it sparked a bit of that feeling.
I really appreciate the conversations here, it is helping me expand the thought. How wonderful to hear new words for such a wonderful sense of being alive. I think that writing makes me want new words for concepts that have meaning--wonder and awe are good complete words--but I am 'used' to them. Perhaps I just need to skip to gratitude for the gift. I look forward to your percolations!
Yes! I so wish that I spoke and understood another language. One is the ability to communicate and learn from others. Another is that sometimes what I'm hoping to convey through my words doesn't carry the same gravitas or nuance that another language brings. Knowing a few words in Sanskrit has given me that. But I'm so limited in my knowledge.
A valid point. Documentaries feel like that sometimes. Then again, what about the birds watching us when we are unaware of their presence? This goes for other animals too in the countryside!
Thank you, Maria, for expanding the thought. As I make my way through the comments that touch on the query, I realize I have a discomfort with any sense of inappropriate power. Truly, I am certain, the animals do not care that they are watched, they just care about safety. As I think more and ponder the comments, I think I need to add gratitude to my wonder and acknowledge that intentional or not, I am being given a gift by the unaware animal. Somehow, gratitude seems to even up the experience. Thanks for pondering with me.
Your enjoyment of birds up close and personal is such a beautiful extension of your love of all in the botanical world. I can feel your joy and you look through your binoculars!
Thank you Cathy, as I make my way through the thoughtful comments here, I am realizing that gratitude to the animal is part of what I want to express to even out the imbalance of awareness of the contact.