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Living with Wonder and Awe

Posted By: Randy GageJuly 28, 2011

I remember the day I brought Starbuck home from the animal shelter.  He was an eight-week-old puppy, a mix of Shepherd and Lab, with paws the size of a grizzly bear.

Nothing could make him happier in the entire world, than when I would throw a big branch for him to retrieve.  He never tired of this, seeming to want me to throw it a hundred times in a row.  Each time I threw it, he bounded after it like it was the very first time.  And when I would finally tire of the game, he would accept it, and nuzzle up to me, just letting me know that he loved me

Then as we would walk, that little puppy would drag it along in his mouth.  It was twice as long as he was and weighed almost as much.  But nothing made him more content.

You see the same thing in babies.  They have such a wide-eyed wonder of the world that is so magical.  They can watch a bubble drift by as if it contains all the wonder of the universe.  Which of course, it does.

Puppies and babies don’t judge you, and they don’t ask you to change.  They just love you the way you are.

We can learn a lot from kids and animals.  We can offer the unconditional love and forgiveness of a dog.  We can practice the joy, wonder and acceptance of a child.  We can stop judging and condemning people for their actions.  And we can choose to see the good in others, knowing that it brings out our own good.

You up for that?

-RG

 

43 comments on “Living with Wonder and Awe”

  1. Than you for that wonderful post Randy.
    I allways try to see and enjoy the little things in life. Things other people don´t realize anymore because they´ve seen them a hundred times before.
    I also try to allways notice "new" things in my known environment.
    It´s like exploring a new world every day^^

  2. RG,
    I honestly love living like this! It's my nature to see the good in others! My father and grandmother are the same way. Is it nature or nurture? Maybe a little of both.

  3. That is so beautiful Randy and touched me deeply, the truth usely does. This one brought a tear to my eyes. I needed to get this in this exact moment 🙂 How did you know that? (LOL)Thank's and lots of love :)))

  4. What a great post Randy, really agree with what you say.
    It is so sad that we dare to lose this amusement as we keep "growing" (or, dare I say, aging).
    Keep the good work coming!

  5. The characteristics of Innocence are: Wonder, Transparency, Belief that anything is possible, Exploration and curiosity, Infinite Possibilities, Seeing the world as 'one thing', and Trust.

    The characteristics of an Integrated life are: Wonder, Transparency, Belief that anything is possible, Exploration and curiosity, Infinite Possibilities, Seeing the world as 'one thing', and Trust.

    This is why Christ said (to paraphrase) "Children get it!" And there is no doubt that even my Lab "Destiny" knows things I don't!

  6. Great post, Randy! Thanks a lot. I've always thought we can learn a lot from animals. I have a Boston Terrier puppy. She's 6 months old and makes me laugh every single day. Her determination astounds me as well! The other day we went out for a walk and she was trying to chase my other dog Thomas, who went up the hill very quickly. Even though it took her so much longer, she finally made it to the top. It wasn't easy, she fell down the hill several times. But she didn't care, she was determined to do it anyway!

  7. Thank you Randy for giving me good things to think about. I enjoy it!

    I think everyone wants to love life like this but they are afraid that if they do, something will happen to hurt them causing them to regret being so emotionally open.

    I see this all the time when people are in relationships that aren't compatible. They blame each other as if the other should automatically think and behave the same way they do and if they don't it means the other doesn't really love them. Then they loose faith in love when it's not really a matter of insufficient love, it's a matter of incompatible values and goals and different levels of consciousness and maturity.

    If we know we love each other then we can make hard choices in healthy ways for what is best for our life directions.

    If the puppy bites and hurts us we don't have to smash the puppy or think that he doesn't love us. We can know that he doesn't really mean it but that doesn't mean we don't take steps to protect ourselves from being bit or if we are a hemophiliac maybe we shouldn't play with puppies. But we can still love them from a distance.

  8. Acceptance is huge. Definitely. Acceptance of others. Acceptance of oneself. Love. How do you do that? Show them: Care, Interest, Engage in Playtime, give them attention, respect. Avoid the power plays. Just read your book: Why you're Dumb, Sick and Broke. I now create Prosperity Maps for my iPad screen's wallpaper to remind me to create that vacuum. Bless you! Bless you! BLESS YOU!

  9. Randy,
    What an inspiring post. I wrote a similar one about my dog. They can teach us a lot.

    I also did a video about who is the greatest teacher. And it is all about children

    They have not been taught impossible and all the inhibitions people struggle with.

    Maybe that is why it is said to have child like faith over and over in the Bible 🙂

    thanks for sharing your thoughts,
    Jeff Faldalen

  10. I thought I would share this from a great book:

    “The way I figure it, dogs are the most advanced beings on the planet. They’re fully self-realized. They possess unconditional love. They forgive instantly. They’re empathetic and sympathetic. They’re incapable of guile or dishonesty. They’re always in the moment, not carrying the past or fretting about the future. Everything’s always new and wonderful. Every place is always the best place to be.

    I say they’re the most advanced beings and I mean that by our standards; human standards. If you think about the qualities you’d like to possess, the ideal qualities- unconditional love, loyalty, devotion, unwavering friendship, forgiveness, selflessness, sincerity, being fully present in the moment, happiness- qualities we uphold as the loftiest ideals to which we might aspire, they look very much like a good dog. Of course, by those same ideal standards, humans are far and away the least evolved beings on the planet.

    So if you want to learn from a great spiritual master, get a dog.”

    Jed McKenna
    Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment

    1. Yes, dogs are lovely, however if they are not socialized by humans, they will bite your hand off if you try to take their food. Just a thought.

    2. "Of course, by those same ideal standards, humans are far and away the least evolved beings on the planet"

      Well as Randy pointed out in his blog, the loftiest ideals we aspire to be as human beings are also in babies, or I would add children in general. It's funny how, with exception of a few, most adults seem very far from those ideal standards. Pehaps it has something to do with the formation or life-choices we make as we grow up, which inadvertently (or intentionally) move us further away from the ideal satndards. What do you think?

  11. Hi Randy,

    terrific analogy. Kids don't judge us, but they're being judged (at least compared) from day one. They learn to become judgmental that way, don't they ?

    As far as I am concerned, I am still in wonder and awe when I see my own kids growing up and discovering the world - and hopefully always be.

    And I am in wonder and awe regarding modern technology that allows us to connect with people on personal level throughout the world.

    Thanks for another inspiring post.

    Take care

    Oliver

  12. I know you don't believe in luck too much. I would say however, you are very lucky to find an eight week old puppy at an animal shelter. Especially one that is a shepard lab mix. People would pay really good money for a puppy such as that. The Gods were really smiling on you that day RG.

    He sounds very cute though, is he still around? Who takes care of this guy when you are going all over the world?

    Dogs, do remind us that love is always possible, even when it seems impossible. If a dog can give us a kiss, no matter what we do, than how can we not be loveable?

  13. I think if we could get fear out of our lives, we might could do this. Why is love conditional? Because we want something back. Why do we want something back? Because we feel incomplete. With more courage in our lives, I think this feeling of incompleteness can be conquered and we can radiate the pure love that babies and dogs radiate. Just a thought 😉

  14. I think that dogs and babies are a great example of the purity of life we all leave behind as we conform to this world. I had adopted an Alabama rescue dog that was recently killed by a car. He was such a gift and a blessing. He was a lab, great dane cross and had a tail that could wipe out a country. He had a favorite toy that he would play tugawar with forever, if my arm didn't give out. He was so big but could cuddle up on the couch with me into the smallest ball. He could sense if I was sad and would immediately put his head on my lap and look at me with the most compassionate eyes. I know God's taking great care of him and I feel so blessed to have had him in my life, even for such a short time. It reminded me of how never to take for granted the time I have to be filled with joy and love, both by animals and people. We never know when what we love will be gone. It also reminds me of what is important in life, the things that remain in our heart and the things that we place in others hearts. Those things last long after we are gone and never decompose. Joy and unconditional love like that is the greatest gift we can give ourselves and others.

  15. Hi Randy,

    Sometimes we forget animals are perfect. Really. Perfect. Pure nature, or pure Universe, flowing through animals. No ego driven motives, no judgments, just being in the moment, and perfect.

    Babies are similar, and remain similar until impressed with ego driven motives. We unintentionally - or intentionally - spoil babies with our own judgments and criticisms. But any one of us can release these ideas in a moment, because our judgments and criticisms are leased, and can be traded in at any moment.

    On the awe and wonder front: I just watched a group of ants while getting my hotel cleaned here in Sihanoukville, Cambodia (pretty awe inspiring place, itself). The ants would not pass one another without taking 1 to 2 seconds to stop and connect with one another. Every time. Sure, it's "work related", but isn't that a pretty wonderful lesson for people to learn, to take with us today? Take a moment to connect with as many people as possible, it might be the most important thing you could ever do, for you never know how you touch someone.

    Nature is the best teacher. It's literally a study in perfection.

    Thanks for sharing Randy.

    RB

  16. The state of being prrsent.

    To that specific dog you were it's leader.

    Love and Respect - Pierre Leyssac, cph

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  • 43 comments on “Living with Wonder and Awe”

    1. Than you for that wonderful post Randy.
      I allways try to see and enjoy the little things in life. Things other people don´t realize anymore because they´ve seen them a hundred times before.
      I also try to allways notice "new" things in my known environment.
      It´s like exploring a new world every day^^

    2. RG,
      I honestly love living like this! It's my nature to see the good in others! My father and grandmother are the same way. Is it nature or nurture? Maybe a little of both.

    3. That is so beautiful Randy and touched me deeply, the truth usely does. This one brought a tear to my eyes. I needed to get this in this exact moment 🙂 How did you know that? (LOL)Thank's and lots of love :)))

    4. What a great post Randy, really agree with what you say.
      It is so sad that we dare to lose this amusement as we keep "growing" (or, dare I say, aging).
      Keep the good work coming!

    5. The characteristics of Innocence are: Wonder, Transparency, Belief that anything is possible, Exploration and curiosity, Infinite Possibilities, Seeing the world as 'one thing', and Trust.

      The characteristics of an Integrated life are: Wonder, Transparency, Belief that anything is possible, Exploration and curiosity, Infinite Possibilities, Seeing the world as 'one thing', and Trust.

      This is why Christ said (to paraphrase) "Children get it!" And there is no doubt that even my Lab "Destiny" knows things I don't!

    6. Great post, Randy! Thanks a lot. I've always thought we can learn a lot from animals. I have a Boston Terrier puppy. She's 6 months old and makes me laugh every single day. Her determination astounds me as well! The other day we went out for a walk and she was trying to chase my other dog Thomas, who went up the hill very quickly. Even though it took her so much longer, she finally made it to the top. It wasn't easy, she fell down the hill several times. But she didn't care, she was determined to do it anyway!

    7. Thank you Randy for giving me good things to think about. I enjoy it!

      I think everyone wants to love life like this but they are afraid that if they do, something will happen to hurt them causing them to regret being so emotionally open.

      I see this all the time when people are in relationships that aren't compatible. They blame each other as if the other should automatically think and behave the same way they do and if they don't it means the other doesn't really love them. Then they loose faith in love when it's not really a matter of insufficient love, it's a matter of incompatible values and goals and different levels of consciousness and maturity.

      If we know we love each other then we can make hard choices in healthy ways for what is best for our life directions.

      If the puppy bites and hurts us we don't have to smash the puppy or think that he doesn't love us. We can know that he doesn't really mean it but that doesn't mean we don't take steps to protect ourselves from being bit or if we are a hemophiliac maybe we shouldn't play with puppies. But we can still love them from a distance.

    8. Acceptance is huge. Definitely. Acceptance of others. Acceptance of oneself. Love. How do you do that? Show them: Care, Interest, Engage in Playtime, give them attention, respect. Avoid the power plays. Just read your book: Why you're Dumb, Sick and Broke. I now create Prosperity Maps for my iPad screen's wallpaper to remind me to create that vacuum. Bless you! Bless you! BLESS YOU!

    9. Randy,
      What an inspiring post. I wrote a similar one about my dog. They can teach us a lot.

      I also did a video about who is the greatest teacher. And it is all about children

      They have not been taught impossible and all the inhibitions people struggle with.

      Maybe that is why it is said to have child like faith over and over in the Bible 🙂

      thanks for sharing your thoughts,
      Jeff Faldalen

    10. I thought I would share this from a great book:

      “The way I figure it, dogs are the most advanced beings on the planet. They’re fully self-realized. They possess unconditional love. They forgive instantly. They’re empathetic and sympathetic. They’re incapable of guile or dishonesty. They’re always in the moment, not carrying the past or fretting about the future. Everything’s always new and wonderful. Every place is always the best place to be.

      I say they’re the most advanced beings and I mean that by our standards; human standards. If you think about the qualities you’d like to possess, the ideal qualities- unconditional love, loyalty, devotion, unwavering friendship, forgiveness, selflessness, sincerity, being fully present in the moment, happiness- qualities we uphold as the loftiest ideals to which we might aspire, they look very much like a good dog. Of course, by those same ideal standards, humans are far and away the least evolved beings on the planet.

      So if you want to learn from a great spiritual master, get a dog.”

      Jed McKenna
      Spiritually Incorrect Enlightenment

      1. Yes, dogs are lovely, however if they are not socialized by humans, they will bite your hand off if you try to take their food. Just a thought.

      2. "Of course, by those same ideal standards, humans are far and away the least evolved beings on the planet"

        Well as Randy pointed out in his blog, the loftiest ideals we aspire to be as human beings are also in babies, or I would add children in general. It's funny how, with exception of a few, most adults seem very far from those ideal standards. Pehaps it has something to do with the formation or life-choices we make as we grow up, which inadvertently (or intentionally) move us further away from the ideal satndards. What do you think?

    11. Hi Randy,

      terrific analogy. Kids don't judge us, but they're being judged (at least compared) from day one. They learn to become judgmental that way, don't they ?

      As far as I am concerned, I am still in wonder and awe when I see my own kids growing up and discovering the world - and hopefully always be.

      And I am in wonder and awe regarding modern technology that allows us to connect with people on personal level throughout the world.

      Thanks for another inspiring post.

      Take care

      Oliver

    12. I know you don't believe in luck too much. I would say however, you are very lucky to find an eight week old puppy at an animal shelter. Especially one that is a shepard lab mix. People would pay really good money for a puppy such as that. The Gods were really smiling on you that day RG.

      He sounds very cute though, is he still around? Who takes care of this guy when you are going all over the world?

      Dogs, do remind us that love is always possible, even when it seems impossible. If a dog can give us a kiss, no matter what we do, than how can we not be loveable?

    13. I think if we could get fear out of our lives, we might could do this. Why is love conditional? Because we want something back. Why do we want something back? Because we feel incomplete. With more courage in our lives, I think this feeling of incompleteness can be conquered and we can radiate the pure love that babies and dogs radiate. Just a thought 😉

    14. I think that dogs and babies are a great example of the purity of life we all leave behind as we conform to this world. I had adopted an Alabama rescue dog that was recently killed by a car. He was such a gift and a blessing. He was a lab, great dane cross and had a tail that could wipe out a country. He had a favorite toy that he would play tugawar with forever, if my arm didn't give out. He was so big but could cuddle up on the couch with me into the smallest ball. He could sense if I was sad and would immediately put his head on my lap and look at me with the most compassionate eyes. I know God's taking great care of him and I feel so blessed to have had him in my life, even for such a short time. It reminded me of how never to take for granted the time I have to be filled with joy and love, both by animals and people. We never know when what we love will be gone. It also reminds me of what is important in life, the things that remain in our heart and the things that we place in others hearts. Those things last long after we are gone and never decompose. Joy and unconditional love like that is the greatest gift we can give ourselves and others.

    15. Hi Randy,

      Sometimes we forget animals are perfect. Really. Perfect. Pure nature, or pure Universe, flowing through animals. No ego driven motives, no judgments, just being in the moment, and perfect.

      Babies are similar, and remain similar until impressed with ego driven motives. We unintentionally - or intentionally - spoil babies with our own judgments and criticisms. But any one of us can release these ideas in a moment, because our judgments and criticisms are leased, and can be traded in at any moment.

      On the awe and wonder front: I just watched a group of ants while getting my hotel cleaned here in Sihanoukville, Cambodia (pretty awe inspiring place, itself). The ants would not pass one another without taking 1 to 2 seconds to stop and connect with one another. Every time. Sure, it's "work related", but isn't that a pretty wonderful lesson for people to learn, to take with us today? Take a moment to connect with as many people as possible, it might be the most important thing you could ever do, for you never know how you touch someone.

      Nature is the best teacher. It's literally a study in perfection.

      Thanks for sharing Randy.

      RB

    16. The state of being prrsent.

      To that specific dog you were it's leader.

      Love and Respect - Pierre Leyssac, cph

    Leave a Reply to Lee Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


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