#reverb10: Wonder

#reverb10's prompt today is Wonder:  

How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year?  Question by author, Jeff Davis.

¹won·der

noun \ˈwən-dər\

Definition of WONDER

1

a : a cause of astonishment or admiration : marvel wonder you weren't killed> wonder to behold> b : miracle

2

: the quality of exciting amazed admiration

3

a : rapt attention or astonishment at something awesomely mysterious or new to one's experience b : a feeling of doubt or uncertainty 

 My children always provide a lot of wonder, but I'm going to chose blogging this year. Blogging has been a connect the dots experience, for me.  Moving so much, as a military spouse, I have met a lot of wonderful, amazing people, but time marches on, we move and sometimes lose touch.. I have searched on Facebook, for a few I'd like to connect with. I have had some success, some not. I marvel in the kindness and kindred spirit I feel and have felt blogging. It wasn't til, I found Arlee Bird of Tossing it Out and participated in his writing challenge, A-Z, did I feel inspired, intrigued and awed by the people I met.

I also have found wonderful friends at random, commenting on one blog and connecting to another via comments. Some people, I don't have a lot in common with, but there is a connection made by sharing our lives, compassion and creative sensibility.  Somehow we have been linked together and form this amazing chain of community. Everyone has an unique quality or view and brings something to the table.

I also have found many touching, heart warming stories on Jenny Doh's site, Crescendoh.  Artist sharing their stories, readers sharing how art saved them. Daily there are new links, weekly new Curators, a touchstone of the amazing art that is out there and so many undiscovered artists. It is a community, I am thrilled to be part of. I took a class at the creative lab, called "Crafting My Best Life" and it opened my eyes further to perhaps other creative possibilities. I am reminded of the quote, "When God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window".   Blogging has opened many windows and extended the depth of creativity in my soul. It has given me courage, to be more open and share things I probably wouldn't.   I would shy, away from thinking of putting that much out there, or submitting work, or writing a poem and posting it.  I read other blogs for two years, before I decided to try it out.  

I think Kari from Artsy Mama forced my hand. I was involved in one of her  creative swaps;there had been some issues with a prior one. Kari was considering only bloggers being able to participate in swaps. Later that day I started my blog. It has been an amazing journey to share comments, ideas and kindness, with so many multi-faceted people.We all have the opportunity to read, write, draw, etc. create n' share wonder everyday.  WE just have to remember to remain curious and allow this process to develop, and grow.

Wonder is all around us, every day in our child's eyes, in a bird's song, in a neighbor's thanks, in a new birth, in the miracle of life, in the curiosity of spirit and exchange. One just has to be open to see the wonder in everyday and the magic that can be made when souls connect, whether in real life or the virtual one. It is opening windows, when you do, you will wonder why you wanted so long to begin...