Ennui vs. Wonder

Wonder is the spark before the flame. It is the black around the stars.  Wonder is nothing and everything, the force that draws you in and pushes you away.  Without wonder, there would be no inquiry.  Sans inquiry, life would have no answers.  Wonder can be the beginning of something big, or the end of a mistake.  But it always leads to questions.‘

~ Author Unknown

How many of us would like something more in our life; something exciting that will pull us toward that which we desire:  the realization of our hopes and dreams and living our very best life?  How do you turn your life around if you are stuck, unhappy, and do not know where to turn?

Ennui

The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English defines “ennui” as a feeling of being tired, bored, and unsatisfied with your life.  Dictionary.com defines it as a feeling of utter weariness and discontent resulting from satiety or lack of interest; boredom. 

Far too many people spend day after day taking the same steps and making the same decisions, working at jobs that drain all of their energy, and tolerating people and situations that are not aligned with their values or dreams.  All for what?  The ability to pay bills, avoid confrontation and fear of the unknown, and, perhaps, because they have settled into a mild, or severe, depression and do not know how to make the changes necessary to feel better. 

Wonder

The World English Dictionary defines “wonder” as:  (n) the feeling of something strange; a mixture of surprise, curiosity, and sometimes awe; and (vb) to indulge in speculative inquiry, often accompanied by an element of doubt ; to be amazed at. 

We often think of wonder as being in the domain of children; their eyes bright and eager, the sheer delight they experience when discovering something new, and the inevitable questions that follow.  In watching children experience wonder, we witness a shift in energy that as adults, we long to experience.  How many times have you noticed an upset child, inconsolable and on the verge of a tantrum, suddenly become quiet or squeal in delight when introduced to a fuzzy caterpillar or the taste of strawberry ice cream?  Their woes are quickly forgotten as awe and curiosity about this new discovery take over.  Imagine what we, as adults, could do with the power of wonder in our own lives!

As we mature, we tend to lose our wonder when we learn to protect ourselves with what writer and creativity consultant Jeffrey Davis calls “Survivor Brain.”  When met with a new idea or information that somehow threatens us, Survivor Brain assuages our ego by calling up our know-it-all stance, which closes the mind to wonder.

Another way we lose our wonder is by the often rigid and conformist teaching we receive during our years of formal education.  Thinking outside the box is not always encouraged. 

We sometimes build a wall around us when we have had to face several problems and make uncomfortable decisions personally and professionally.  When we find a comfortable spot, Instead of remaining open and curious, we often put on blinders to avoid having to deal with yet one more problem.