“Everything is explained now. We live in an age when you say casually to somebody ‘What’s the story on that?’ and they can run to the computer and tell you within five seconds. That’s fine, but sometimes I’d just as soon continue wondering. We have a deficit of wonder right now.”
– Tom Waits, in Tom Waits on Tom Waits: Interviews and Encounters edited by Paul Jr Maher
Live & Learn 
So true, we have to know it all! But it’s the in the mystery, the wonder, the ‘not knowing’ that we discover life through a beginners mind.
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Well said Karen.
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A deficit of wonder and a dearth of civility. A troubling combo these days….
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Especially the latter. Troubling understating it. Distressing is closer to it for me.
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one of my favorite elements of being alive – the wonder
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Awe. Wonder. Miracle. All of it.
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Wonder opens our minds and hearts. We mustn’t forget the gift of not knowing … and being okay with it 💛 Thanks Dave.
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Yes. Exactly Val
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We’re made of wonder.
Even with everything explained. We still inhale life and exhale wonder.
No computers or easy accessibility can take that away. There’s still enough poetry and magic in the world to ignite.
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yes….
“It must be a great disappointment to God if we are not dazzled at least ten times a day.”
Mary Oliver, from “Good Morning” in Blue Horses (Published October 14th 2014 by Penguin Press)
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David, that‘s one of my (many) favourite quotes by Mary Oliver too…. I love the word ‚dazzled‘, it‘s so evocative.
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Yes. Mine too Kiki.
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““We need Beauty
because it makes us ache
to be worthy of it.”
-Mary Oliver.
A few years ago, at Wellesley College convocation, during the Q&A, someone asked her, “What is the purpose of beauty?”
We cannot not wonder, to be worthy of it all.
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Ah yes.
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Sawsan; this is achingly beautiful ….
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This makes you achingly worthy, Kiki 😘
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Agree AND disagree with Wait‘s quote. Disagree because my world has become infinitely larger, more interesting, since I have the use of the internet. I don‘t have to go for any of our 25+ dictionary, lexica, etymological & cultural guides, a few clicks on the web and it‘s all there, explained, illustrated and comprehensive.
I agree for all the stated, commented and never changing occurances of wonders, wonderful moments, surprises of all kinds.
Happy Sunday!
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I totally agree. We all wouldn’t have Kiki but for this wonder of World Wide Web!
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😉
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leads me to think of the joy of having young children in your life…I wish that for everyone…and then remember that we were like that once!
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Children. The MIRACLE.
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I think I must be very lucky to have the amount of wonder that I do, which isn’t lessening as I get older — and I think that’s true for many of us, because once we’ve found a Mary Oliver, we cannot live without her! Life is enriched because of wonderers. If someone needs a refresher course in wonder, I’d suggest going on whale watches until one becomes a whale-SEEer — and it’s wonder all the way up to that point –and after! Or, haven’t many of us picked up the tiniest periwinkle shell — smaller than a baby’s fingernail — and marveled that an entire and 100% functional organism once inhabited it? And why are there such small ones… are they crucial? And why is this grasshopper just sitting on this guardrail in the setting sun, the shine in his eyes alerting me to his presence? Is he resting? Listening? Warming? Praying? Where to from here, Grasshopper? Etc.
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Amazing Comment! Love periwinkles! (And whales)
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Words of a genius
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He is….
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Hello David. Thanks for reminding me of this great guy. I haven’t heard his songs much too long. Hope you’re fine.
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Hi Christine. He is so great. You’ve reminded me to share one of my favorites:
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In half an hour I’m finished with my desk job. I think, I’m going to watch “Down by law” on DVD. I looove this movie. Have a great week.
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I need to watch it…Thanks for the recommendation. I’ve never seen it.
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Not a huge fan of Tom Waits’ singing voice (sorry 😉 ) but this tune, I kinda like…
As for wonder. I think that’s one of the things I miss most about Mick. He had the wonder and enthusiasm of a child (but wasn’t childish!) and was never afraid to show it. He brought us all into his fold… And yet, he loved to look up stuff…
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That enthusiasm, infectious.
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Very much so
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Dale, this comment is obviously just for David because I have no idea what you say about Mick…. But never mind – same as you, I probably would rather buy yet another disk by L. Cohen (if there is one I haven‘t got yet….) – (sorry Dave, for getting myself into this discussion so heavily – I shut up now)
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No, no. Mick was my late husband. No hidden story there. And all good! I doubt David minds creating discussions!
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Now I‘m definitely embarrassed…. Sorry Dale 🙂
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But why? You needn’t be!! 😘
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Yes – this! Sometimes I don’t want to know immediately. Sometimes .. I want to ponder and figure it out and be surprised. Instant isn’t always .. better!
Provocative post, DK~ MJ
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Agree MJ!
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Sometimes a case of TMI…
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Ha!
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