"Takin' Time Out"

Definition:  experiencing a sudden feeling of awed delight or wonder

 

 

Have you ever had one of those awe-ha moments when something happens so unexpectedly or it is so incredibly awesome you can’t even put it into words?  Maybe you came upon the most magnificent sunset or sunrise and it was captured in just the right moment?  You may be watching the building of a thunderstorm across the wide open western plains and after the storm a gorgeous rainbow appears.  Maybe you are driving down a country road and you make a turn and see the most beautiful field of wild flowers and a herd of antelope grazing? Or perhaps you get out of your car and you look up and the Northern Lights appear, it has only happened to me once but it is a vivid memory I will never forget.  It was pitch black as the scene unfolded and the sky transformed from total blackness into an infinite hue of red, with sapphire and emerald color splashing across the night sky, it was simply breathtaking.  Perhaps you come home from a long day at work and this wonderful aroma of a home cooked meal captures your senses as you open the door and are greeted by a loved one?  How many have experienced the birth of a newborn child or even a newborn animal and as mother-nature unfolds you get goose bumps and in that moment it simply takes your breath away looking at the tiny but precious creation, instant love?  Have you watched a caterpillar transform into this beautiful intricate butterfly.  Next time look into the center of a sunflower and see the details or how a pearl is formed inside an oyster.  It leaves me WONDERSTRUCK…

 

There are so many beautiful magnificent landscapes with various textures, colors and dynamics features.  Nature in general offers such a variety it can leave us with this indescribable but oh so WONDERSTRUCK moment.  Let us not forget the Seven Wonders of the World?  Can you name them?  Oh wait let me clarify Seven Natural Wonders as there are the original seven, the seven of the modern world and the “new” Seven Wonders of the World.  Did you realize that?  I didn’t until I looked it up.  What would we do without Google?

Seven Natural Wonders of the World:

1)    Grand Canyon

2)   The Great Barrier Reef

3)   The Harbor of Rio de Janeiro

4)   Mt. Everest

5)   Northern Lights

6)   Paricutin Volcano

7)   Victoria Falls

 

My next question is who decided this and why only seven.  What about the Grand Teton’s, Old Faithful, Great Smoky Mountains, Niagara Falls, Two Buttes for my Baca County friends and family?  These are only in the U.S. to name a few.  I guess what I am trying to say is there are so many beautiful creations throughout this world and we need to stop, breathe in, look around and enjoy.

 

As you are “Takin Time Out” this week why not reflect on those moments in your life that left you WONDERSTRUCK.  I feel it is a great exercise to remember those special times, to count our blessings and to perhaps awaken the sense of wonder as we seem to bury that childlike innocence when we become an adult and get so caught up in our busy, hectic and chaotic lives.  Learn to expect the unexpected…create spontaneity…let down your guard every now and then.  Structure, planning, setting goals can be a good thing but relaxing and letting things just happen going with the flow you know can be exciting as well.  Setting out on an adventure or doing something spur of the moment can be so much fun as you haven’t really set any expectations and therefore you won’t be dissapointment either.  For those who are type A, organized and a planner this can be very difficult but if you would allow yourself every now and then to just let circumstances happen, be free you might simply be amazed or left WONDERSTRUCK!  If not you might need to talk with your shrink as you have some very serious issues.

 

Life is too short not to take a moment every once in a while to sit, be grounded and let nature take its course.  Yes, “Takin Time Out”.  Personally I think it is best in the outdoors.  Even if you can’t go outdoors let’s create one in your mind, for just a moment close your eyes, take a deep deep breathe.  Now envision you are in your favorite place in the outdoors or a place you would like to visit.  Let’s imagine for a moment you have come across a brook, you find a large rock to sit on…now let’s watch the stream of water, see it?  See how the water gracefully runs down the banks, watch how the water flows over the rocks, maybe there is a leaf or stick and the motion and power carries it down stream.  Perhaps there are little fish in that stream, oh wait there is a dragon fly that now appears as it hovers over for just a moment to get a drink of refreshing water.  You look over and there are wild flowers growing along the bank, quickly you see the fluttering of a hummingbird all of a sudden it flies backward then off it goes as quick as it came.  Can you feel the cool brisk air touching your face or the beaming sunshine as your body absorbs that natural vitamin D we all so desperately need?  Stop for a minute and listen really listen can you hear the chirping of birds or there are locust in the tree?  Can you identify what type of birds they are…this is very relaxing, very therapeutic, and very rewarding.  We are loving the cool crisp air…breathe in yes it is soooo refreshing and clean?  Clean, crisp, inviting country air and it is feeding your soul.  Are you WONDERSTRUCK with this simple exercise?  If not you didn’t let yourself really be in the moment.  Try it again but create the time, space and adventure you want to go on.  Maybe it isn’t in nature but at your favorite sporting event…you are embraced in the moment, crowds are rallying and your team is winning, oh this is my imagination working yes the Cowboy’s or Rangers are going to have a winning season this year…don’t you just love it?    I am truly WONDERSTRUCK!

 

There is a Young Readers book I came across entitled “WONDERSTRUCK” by Brian Selznick.  He has a unique style, this book is not just words on the page, the story is told from two perspectives.  One from a girl named Rose who lives in the 1920’s and her story is depicted through pictures he has sketched and a boy named Ben who lives in the 1970’s and his story is through words.  The two are intertwined throughout the book in the most fascinating way.  It’s a book you not only read but you truly feel as you turn each page.  Amazing!

 

Last summer I had the privilege of enrolling in a Bible Study written by an amazing teacher, Margaret Feinberg.  The chorography was absolutely stunning.  She had taped it in the mountains in Canada, she lived in Alaska and so much of what she shared again could be felt by the background of God’s beautiful natural creation.  Throughout the course once again she challenged us to awaken the nearness of God. She takes you into the wonder of divine expectation, God’s presence, of rest, prayer, friendship, forgiveness and celebration gathering.  I kept a WONDERSTRUCK journal throughout the course.  It was fun to go back and read through each entry.  I have to smile as many are simple precious moments I have forgotten until I re-read them on the page.  I think that is why I love to journal each day.  Just two entries I want to share…simple but heartwarming to me 1) my son starting a movie he knew I would enjoy and 2) the moment of expecting the worst and it was truly a blessing so much negative energy spent unnecessarily.  So often this happens in life.  I like positive energy and have to work daily on not allowing the negative to enter in.  This is a wonderful study and I encourage you to check it out.

 

Sipping and savoring my luscious warm inviting tropical blended tea…yummm.  These are just a few examples of what I am trying to capture in this week’s blog.  I will leave you with two of my favorite verses Psalm 46:10 “Be Still and Know that I am God” and Isaiah 29:14 “Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder.”  See God wants us to enjoy the adventures in life and explore and be absolutely WONDERSTRUCK!  I am hoping you are becoming more aware of your ability to envision, to be in the moment, and capture the creation of your imagination once again.  No matter what age or stage in life you are your imagination is one of your greatest gifts…it’s uniquely yours and only yours…no one can take that from you!  Dare to dream, dare to become the person God created you to be, daring to imagine and manifest the life you have deep inside your soul.  Breathe….deep inhale and slowly exhale…yes you have more to offer, unleash that gift and yes you too are WONDERSTRUCK…until next time my friends enjoy life to the fullest we have no guarantee’s what tomorrow will bring!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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