TO DO: Regain childlike wonder

So. A fantastic thing happened the other day.

I was chatting with an Indicorps alum who I haven't spoken to in a couple of years (it's a shame, I know). And as we get talking, she starts talking about how she's doing her PhD on how Australian lizards speciate. And how she keeps the spirit of service alive by teaching math to prisoners. And how she's learning the Banjo, just because.

The banjo. That's right, the banjo! And it totally rocked my proverbial socks off. It hit me right there and then like a burst of inspiration. THAT's what I need to do - I need to keep that childlike wonder alive. I wanna do things SIMPLY because I'm curious about them.

Like her, I can be (and am) serious about what I want to accomplish in this world. But I don't need to be serious all along the journey! I want to take little side tours, just because. I still want to look at the world with the eyes of a child, full of curiosity and wonder. 

Gibran captures this balance between duty and passion beautifully: 

Among the hills, when you sit in the cool shade of the white poplars, sharing the peace and serenity of distant fields and meadows - then let your heart say in silence, "God rests in reason." 

 

And when the storm comes, and the mighty wind shakes the forest, and thunder and lightning proclaim the majesty of the sky, - then let your heart say in awe, "God moves in passion." 

 - The Prophet by Khalil Gibran