The Truth About Inspiration: Wonder

Over the last few months, I’ve been sharing my insights from my summer off to reinvigorate my creative energy. I shared how stillness provided the rest and focus and movement inspired confidence to allow my creative energy to flow. This week I’m talking about Wonder.

Do you remember that feeling, when you saw a magician for the first time as a kid or when a ladybug landed on your finger? That feeling of surprise, admiration, and curiosity? That feeling of joy? That’s Wonder.?

Creativity is natural and boundless. If you’ve spent any time with kids you know their creativity is inexhaustible. Wonder also comes naturally as a kid when everything is new and novel. I saw a quote on Instagram a few months ago that captures this idea beautifully: “Your creativity is rooted in the most wild part of you, the most innocent, the most honest… your creativity rests in your aliveness, the belly of your being, your instincts.”?

I’ve always felt that Wonder is the spark of creativity’s fire. As you grow up it’s easy to let Wonder fade, succumb to the routine, and let life happen to you. Like a muscle, Wonder and creativity must be practiced to be maintained.

Creativity starts with wonder and curiosity. Practicing Wonder is a skill that can increase your creativity and your joy. A skill that anyone can learn. All you have to do is slow down, observe, and be curious.?

Granma Mary Rommely, from the novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, understood this idea. As Francie reaches adulthood Granma Mary tells her, “To look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory.”

"To look at everything always as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time: Thus is your time on earth filled with glory." ~ Granma Mary Rommely (A Tree Grows in Brooklyn)

I spent the majority of my time this summer practicing Wonder and following my curiosities. I practiced Wonder daily by being present on my walks and finding novelty in the small things. I didn’t listen to podcasts or music. I wandered new streets, enjoyed looking at all the flowers, and found my favourite houses. I tried looking at everything as if seeing it for the first time and was awed by it.

I also proactively created novel experiences by signing up for volunteering opportunities and classes without hesitation. I believed that trying many different things would bring inspiration and that my curiosities would lead the way. I signed up to volunteer at the local community garden and my neighbourhood charity thrift store. I became a foster home for medical alert dogs. I also took woodworking classes and started learning Swedish.

Creating Wonder has been the key to reinvigorating my creativity this summer. Learning new things brought me joy, and experiencing new environments was engaging and inspirational. I followed my curiosities and ultimately found creativity.

I also met many people along the way who shared my interests. These connections expanded my creativity even more than I expected. More on that topic in my next post.