Sense of Wonder

Sales Man Up

Sense of Wonder

You will enrich your life immeasurably if you approach it with a sense of wonder and discovery, and always challenge yourself to try new things.
Nate Berkus

What inspires you ? Which places or situations Impart to your heart a sense of wonder ? I was asked this question recently at a sales training session in Atlanta . For me, the attached photo describes one of the things that stirs my soul . The sun peeking  it’s bright orb over the Atlantic Ocean, a cup of dark roast coffee in my hand, and hanging out with my best friend -These are the occasions when time literally stops for me. During those moments, I feel the steady infusion of energy and inspiration that floods every fiber of my being.

What revitalizes you ? A fishing pole or golf club in your hand ? A deep tissue or hot stone massage ? A hike in the wilderness or walk in a local park ? Maybe a glowing sunset or vibrant starry night ? Every person has different reset buttons, but we all need to experience wonder because it forces us outside of ourselves. It challenges us to reflect on beauty. Children come by this very naturally, but we can easily digress into a mindset like Peter Panning in the Movie “Hook” ,and forget how to imagine, how to crow , and how to fly ! We grow up and become all serious, and everything is staunch and starched; and laughter and simple wonder get pushed out of our lives and replaced by quotas, forecasts, and making money. Don’t get me wrong, I agree with Zig Ziglar, that money is somewhere in rank close to oxygen; but I don’t want to lose my soul in the process of pursuing financial gain; or forget to enjoy the journey along the way. Sometimes when I am working in the yard, and I see one of our heirloom roses blooming, I am compelled to stop what I am doing, walk over to the rose bush, and inhale deeply on this creation of beauty. I am never sorry that did.

While traveling back to Orlando from business trips, inevitably there are one or two or myriads of families with small children en route to Disney. You can feel and hear the excitement bubbling from the children like a summer monsoon. The poor parents are hard pressed to contain them and even harness them into their seat belts as the little ones overflow with their anticipation of visiting the Magic Kingdom. Don’t they realize there are bills to pay ? Can’t they see that someone had to fork out cash for the plane ticket , make the hotel reservations, book the car, and make plans on feeding them every time they are hungry ? Nope , and they don’t care either, because it is not their time for responsibility as much as it is to learn and experience LIFE. This is their season of wonder. Their time to imagine and dream. College debt will come soon enough !

I believe it is up to each of us to become intentional about keeping our sense of wonder in life. I am not advocating some Pollyanna - ish type of head-in-the-sand existence ; but neither do I want to subsist within an endless drudgery of business dealings without finding happiness along the way. I challenge you to stop, pause, and reflect on the things that bring you wonder, and as you do, you will become a  wonder-full person. Find the wonder and the joy in the journey.

Wisdom begins in wonder. - Socrates


There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder. - Ronald Reagan