Learning from children - taking a ‘wonder-wander’ and finding awe and wonder in our world.

By Rachel Musson

Have you ever taken a wonder-wander? 🚶‍♀️

Any of you with small children will know that going for a walk is never about the length. You rarely get far and certainly not fast. Yet this is the magic of going for walks with children, the walking is superfluous to the wonder, for the fascinations to be found in the hedgerows, puddles, trees and crisp packets are infinite and endless!

I am always inspired by toddlers and their deep connection with the world, and we have designed several activities in our ThoughtBox workshops taking inspiration from the little people. In particular the practice of a Wonder-wander inspired by children's innate capacity for awe and their desire to slow down and take notice...

Yesterday I went on a 40 minute circular walk that took me 2 hours. I was alone and in no hurry, and enjoyed meandering along with wide-eyed wonder at all of the beauty along the way. I noticed the intricate pattern on the bark on a tree, the subtle colours in the hedgerows; the exquisite texture on the wings of a small white-orange butterfly. I paid attention, noticed and was utterly astonished.

When we slow down, the world opens up. When we pay attention, we notice that something extraordinary happens in every moment. When we open ourselves up to awe and wonder, the Earth becomes abundant and endless.

Wonder-wanders don't need to be long - just five minutes in your garden, in your neighborhood or even pausing by an open window to notice for a moment will reveal an extraordinary world quietly happening.

Why not take a wander this Earth Day - a day which welcomes us to pause in wonder for the beauty of our world and strive to enable this beauty to keep flourishing for as long as possible.